Abstract In the era of information and communication technology (ICT) and big data, the map gradually shows a new qualitative feature of “spatiotemporal ubiquitous” due to the extension of its object space and the geographic information it contains, which brings new challenges to map information organization. This paper analyzes the concept and information characteristics of the ubiquitous map. Based on that, it proposes a ubiquitous map information organization model oriented to location-based aggregation. This new model includes three parts as “ubiquitous map instance”, “location-based aggregation mode” and “map scene”. This paper focuses on the “map scene” part which is the core of the model and contains two mutually mapped aspects as “content scene” and “representation scene”. And both aspects are divided into three levels as “features” ←→ “elements” ←→ “scenes” according to ubiquitous map information characteristics and location-based aggregation mode. With cases of map decomposition, the application of the model is explained to illustrate its effectiveness. The model is expected to provide powerful data organization and management capabilities for ubiquitous map production and use.

Abstract Urban pollution has now become increasingly recognized as an important determinant of air pollution in developed countries. The effect of urban air pollution in developing countries, on the other hand, has not been adequately addressed in the data Spatio-temporal time series. Thus, this study was in tended to characterize the effect of urbanization on air pollution for an urbanized Klang Valley, Malaysia using Spatio-temporal data from 2008 to 2017. The Air Pollution Index (API) data and local pollutant concentration were employed to establish the links between urban air pollution. The analysis will be supported by determining the source of pollutants during the study period using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The study identified that Carbon monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), and Ozone (O3) are the major air pollution that has contributed to degrading air quality in the Klang Valley due to the vehicles, combustion process, and industries.

Abstract This paper reflects the actual effect of China’s environmental protection tax by empirically analyzing the environmental effect of the emission fee, in order to provide reference for China’s environmental tax reform. Based on the traditional environmental Kuznets” model, the factor of environmental tax is added to verify the effect of environmental governance of environmental tax. The results show that: 1) the improvement of sulfur dioxide emission charge standard can effectively inhibit industrial sulfur dioxide emission, which verifies the existence of environmental effect of pollution levy policies. 2) The improvement of sewage charge standard has better inhibitory effect on sulfur dioxide emission per unit GDP than on sulfur dioxide emission. 3) There is regional heterogeneity in the “emission reduction” effect of sulfur dioxide emission charges in the eastern, central and western regions of China. Pollutants should be taxed differently according to regional differences. 4) Economic growth and sulfur dioxide emission show an inverted “U” shape, China is still in the stage before the inflection point of EKC. Economic growth still takes environmental damage as the cost, and the “emission reduction” effect of technological progress is not ideal, which reveals the urgency of in creasing technological development in the field of green environmental protection under the current situation .

Abstract This study assesses radiation levels in soil, water and air in the Norochcholai, an area in Sri Lanka closest to the Kundankulam nuclear power plant, India which is situated in the North Western coast. This is important for monitoring radiation hazards and will be useful in case of a nuclear accident. Superficial soil and water samples from 23 locations were analyzed by Gamma spectrometry using HPGe detector. The activity concentrations of Th232, K40, Ra226 and Pb210 in the soil were 56.0 Bq·kg−1, 96.0 Bq·kg−1, 24.0 Bq·kg−1 and 27.0 Bq·kg−1respectively. Dose rate at 1 m height was recorded using a survey meter (Auto mess 6150AD). Median dose rate was 0.098 μSv·h−1. The median gamma ray absorbed dose rate was 51.2 nGy·h−1, which is lower than the global average of 57 nGy·h−1. Radium equivalent activity (Raeq) ranged from 30.3 Bq/Kg - 458.3Bq/Kg and only one sample recorded the Raeq > 370 Bq/Kg as safe to be used in building materials. External hazardous indices of all the samples were below 1 and the mean annual effective dose was within the safe limit of 1 mSv/y. The health risk of exposure to terrestrial radiation from the soil in the area is minimal. These data could be used as baseline for radiation assessment.

Abstract "The Oasis of Ferkla is part of the Oases of Tafilalt in southern Morocco. These are classified by UNESCO as the Oases of Southern Morocco Biosphere Reserve. The Ferkla Oasis is increasingly experiencing a situation of increased regression and degradation, aggravated by the effects of climate change. These foreshadow a considerable acceleration of desertification and drought with the effect of the loss of production systems whose social, ecological and economic role remains major for the whole country. In order to contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of the vegetation in this territory and the impact of climate change in the Oasis of Ferkla, we used spatial remote sensing to trace the evolution of changes in the vegetation cover in an agricultural ex tension called Bour El Khourbat. Calculation of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index for seven multidate satellite images allowed us to follow the vegetation in this oasis zone from the year 1984 to 2019. Indeed, from these multi-temporal images, this study clearly shows the evolution of the vegetation with a remarkable agricultural extension towards the South-East of the zone. This extension is due not only to the installation of a diversion dam up stream but also to the development of the localized irrigation system “Drop by Drop” which is a technique that saves water resources in addition to the presence in the area. Bour El Khourbat specifies a geological structure, in the primary, relatively favorable to having water linked to cracks."

Abstract Population growth associated with urban development in African cities is a key environmental concern in development programs. Indeed, urban areas are strongly impacted by the production of municipal waste, the management of which remains problematic and is only stored in open dumps. This is the case in the city of Bonoua, a small town located 59 km east of Abidjan in the South Comoé region of Côte d’Ivoire. The management of municipal waste in this town is crucial because all the mineral water sources are concentrated in this town. The objective of this study is to characterize and map the distribution of trace metal elements in the largest urban landfill in the city in order to propose an efficient strategy for rehabilitation into an urban park. Soil samples were collected from the entire site (landfill and surrounding soil) and from a control site. The total content of trace metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, and Zn) in the soil was analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). Soil pollution was evaluated through enrichment factors, geoaccumulation indices and pollution indices. The results show that the calculated geoaccumulation in dices and their distribution maps indicate a pollution of the site in these elements. The values of the PI higher than the unit reveal a pollution of the site in several elements. The levels of Pb, Cd, Cr and Zn are higher than the levels in the upper continental crust and in the control soil. The spatial distribution shows a significant accumulation of Pb, Cr and Zn on the landfill while Cd is concentrated in the surrounding soils. The calculated enrichment factors suggest an anthropogenic origin of the heavy metal at the study site. These results indicate polymetallic pollution by metals that can persist in the environment and affect human health .

Abstract "With global warming and increased human activity, more and more ground surface areas have been affected, which leads to the creation of many problems. To understand the ecological environment changes in a typical alpine region, information on landcovers changes in the study area from 2000 to 2020 was obtained by combining remote sensing, geographic information system, and traditional statistical analysis for the Sanjiangyuan National Na ture Reserve on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. The results show that the changes of surface cover in Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve are relatively concentrated, mainly distributed in the sections of south, northwest, central, and northeast, with the area of the changed regions and the un changed regions being 31,127.45 km2 and 271,941.37 km2, respectively. The transformation between the various types of ground landcover is mainly characterized by a shift from other types to grassland and from grassland to bare land. And the regions of change are mostly concentrated between 3500 - 600 m in elevation."

Abstract The characteristics of urban space expansion reflect the changes of urban space layout and space structure, as well as the urban developing direction and urban orientation in the future. Based on the remote sensing image data of 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020, this paper analyzes the urban space expansion characteristics of Luoyang, by using the urban land compaction index, expansion intensity index and centroid distribution in 4 time sections and 3 periods. The results show that: 1) the urban land area of Luoyang has expanded rapidly, the urban planning policy has successfully guided the urban expansion. 2) In the first period, the urban expansion belongs to the rapid expansion type, mainly filling the built-up area and natural expansion to outward; the second period is of high-speed expansion type, the urban expansion mainly enlarges the urban framework, then fills the expanded district, and the influence of urban natural growth factor is very small; the third period be longs to the high-speed expansion type, and the expansion rate is significantly lower than that in the second period, the urban expansion is mainly to fill in the urban framework enlarged in the previous period and continue to enlarge the urban framework, and the influence of urban natural growth factor is very little. 3) The urban land centroid gradually migrates to the southeast with the azimuth of 151.47˚, the annual migration distance is of 138.29 m. The migration rate in the second period is the fastest, which is about 7.43 times that of the first period, and 2.70 times that of the third period. In the first period, the urban land is mainly expanded to southward, with the main azimuth of 201.13˚. Compared with the urban land centroid in 2000, the urban land in the second period mainly expands to east-southeast and southward along the azimuths of 41.92˚ and 154.17˚ respectively. Compared with the urban centroid in 2010, the urban land in the third period mainly expands in the orientations of southeast and eastward along the azimuth of 96.24˚ and 133.45˚.

Abstract One of the most commonly used equations to estimate soil erosion is the re vised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE). Based on the early approach developed by the Soil Conservation Service of USA, the rainfall erosivity factor (R-factor) in the RUSLE equation requires sub-daily rainfall data, which is usually not available. Other empirical equations estimate R-factor based on available rainfall data like annual and monthly rainfall data. In arid regions such as the Arabian Peninsula, several studies estimated the R-factor based on these empirical equations without calibration. We propose in this paper to assess the applicability of some of these empirical equations against R-factor values calculated using as a reference the RUSLE approach. For this data, data from 104 stations with sub-daily rainfall was collected. The reference R-factor was calculated for the 104 stations. The results of seven empirical equations were tested against the reference R-factor. Most of the tested equations significantly underestimated the R-factor. Furthermore, the obtained RMSE and MAE values were almost as high as the average R-factor, with MAPE exceeding 100%. Therefore, it is recommended not to apply these equations in arid regions. A recalibration of the form of equation that gave the best results, gave an RMSE of 280 (Mj·mm/(ha·hr)) and the MAPE dropped to 47.6%.

Abstract The expected water mixing process between Red/Dead Sea water during the proposed conveyance projects is the main target of this research. The project will ensue transporting Red Sea water to recover and maintain certain level of the Dead Sea, mostly will reach −395 m. It is found that, the two different water bodies with different EC values or different densities (salinities) are relatively divided by stable plane. This plane is defined as the BARZACH PLANE. In this study, the mixing process occurred between the Red Sea with the Dead Sea waters, located at 20% - 24% of the Dead Sea column depth based on the Barzach Plane level. During a laboratory experimental work, it is found that the mixed Red/Dead Sea water evaporates in a high rate until certain level where the solution attains oversaturated conditions with different dissolved solids. At this stage, a thin layer of solids suddenly formed and floated at the surface of the dense brine. The salinity of the captured water is so dense that floated salt layer cannot be dissolved. In addition, the formed floated salt layer at the surface prevents the below captured water to evaporate and at this stage, stalactites start to form until the excess dissolved solids are not oversaturated with any mineral.

Abstract In order to improve the agricultural eco-efficiency and promote the sustainable development of agriculture in Henan Province, China, based on the foot print theory, the super-efficiency SBM model is used to scientifically calculate and analyze the agricultural eco-efficiency in Henan Province. On this basis, the influencing factors of agricultural eco-efficiency in Henan Province are quantitatively analyzed by using the grey incidence analysis model. The results show that unilaterally considering one of grey water footprints and carbon footprints will overestimate or underestimate the agricultural eco-efficiency of Henan Province in different degrees in different time periods, and the agricul tural eco-efficiency obtained by comprehensively considering grey water foot print and carbon footprint (GWCAEE) is more in line with the reality of agricultural development in Henan Province. In 2000-2004, GWCAEE in Henan Province was better. During 2005-2014, GWCAEE in Henan Province showed a fluctuating decline and continued to be in an efficient state. From 2015 to 2019, GWCAEE of Henan Province gradually increased, and it became effective in 2019. In recent years, GWCAEE has developed well. Through the grey incidence analysis between 12 influencing factors including endogenous factors and xogenous factors and GWCAEE, it is found that the six leading factors of GWCAEE in Henan Province are agricultural structure, financial input for agriculture, number of agricultural employees, crop sown area, consumption of chemical pesticide, consumption of agricultural diesel oil. According to the above research conclusions, suggestions for improving agricultural eco-efficiency in Henan Province are put forward.

Abstract The Black Sea is the world’s largest inner sea, its only connections with other seas being the Kerch Strait, which leads to the Azov Sea, and the Istanbul Strait, which connects it with the Mediterranean Sea. The main aim of this study processes to image analysis and applied algorithm, to retrieve remote SST data from satellite, to assess the estimated SSTs, to understand the characteristics of SST by presenting in the Black Sea and surrounding seas, to discuss the SSTs changes according to climate change impacts. In this study, Landsat 7 and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI)/Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) Level-1 images of TIR bands are used to predict Sea Surface Temperature (SST) changes using the Plank algorithm in the Black Sea and surrounding seas between 2008 and 2018. The SST values were taken from 55 different stations chosen from the study area. The SST result presented the central months of the four hydrological seasons. The increasing temperature data were supported by the literature studies that alien invasive species entered the Black Sea. The climatic fluctuations obtained as a result of this study will increase the invasion level of non-native species and their invasion will continue into the Black Sea and surrounding seas.

Abstract Solanum nigrum L. has a delightful prospect as a hyperaccumulation plant for cadmium pollution remediation, and microplastic is a new type of pollution that has received wide attention. In this study, the effects of polyethylene microplastics (LDPE) (0.135, 0.27, 0.81 and 1.35 mg·kg−1) and cadmium (20 mg·kg−1) on the growth indexes and soil physical and chemical properties of Solanum nigrum L. were investigated in a 17-day microcosm experiment. The results showed that single LDPE contamination showed a trend of low con centration promotion and medium-high concentration inhibited the growth index of Solanum nigrum L. and soil physicochemical index, and single Cd contamination was more stressful to plants than single LDPE contamination, while low concentration of LDPE could reduce the effect of Cd on soil physical and chemical properties and promote plant growth and uptake of soil nutrients. These findings suggest that high concentrations of microplastics can inhibit the growth of Solanum nigrum L. alone or in combination with Cd, rather than reducing the toxicity of Cd.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to assess the physical and chemical quality of bo rehole water intended for consumption in the collines department in Benin. At the end of a sampling campaign, twenty-one (21) drinking water points were sampled. Different physico-chemical parameters were measured using standard analysis methods. The results of the analysis of the samples, showed that the groundwater of the department of the hills is characterized by a neu tral pH and an average electrical conductivity in accordance with the WHO and Benin standard relating to the potability of groundwater. With this pH neutrality which would be linked to the nature of geological formations made up of crystalline rocks, the water in the hills is moderately hard with hardness values of 208 mg/L on average for magnesium ions of 22.54 mg/L on average and calcium ions of the order of 46.03 mg/L on average at the scale of the various localities and an alkalinity is of 43.81 mg/L on average. The NO3−values between 0 and 163.91 mg/L are low in the South-East and very high, even exceeding the standard accepted by WHO in the West and North-East of the study area. This nitrate pollution and the fairly high levels of organic matter in total nitrogen observed in the groundwater of the hills could also have an impact on the vulnerability of the water table. And this pollution with nitrates associated with electrical conductivity and chloride levels modifies and degrades from one drinking water point to another the potability of un derground water in the hills.

Abstract The study assesses the quality of hand dug wells in relation to distance from soakaway septic tanks in three selected peri-urban communities in the Ga West Municipality near Accra, Ghana. Water quality analyses of bio-physico chemical variables (pH, Temperature, EC, turbidity, DO, BOD, TSS, TDS, sodium, potassium, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, sulphate, chloride, salinity, total alkalinity, total coliform, fecal coliforms and isolation of E. coli) were deter mined. Concentrations of the major nutrient anion sulphate, nitrate, phos phate, and chlorides in water samples at distances between 0 - 30 m radial distances from the septic tank were above the WHO permissible limit of drinking water compared to the control. All the water samples had high fecal and total coliform counts that exceeded the international standard of 0 per 100 mL of potable water with counts ranging from 0 - 143 cfu/100 ml and 53 -463/100 ml for FC and TC respectively. High fecal coliform and detection of E. coli in most samples is an indication of fecal pollution possibly from their close proximity to soak away septic sewage. The high nutrient levels detected in samples at distances between 0 - 30 m as compared to the controls may al so be attributed to its close proximity to septic tanks. This study, therefore, accentuates the need for the owners of the water points to site their water source at least 30m away from localized sources of pollution as well as treat ment of groundwater before use.

Abstract This study assessed pollutants concentration at selected markets in Owerri. These markets were purposively selected after careful consideration of all major markets in the study area; the selected markets were considered to be more congested during the day as a result of open assess to road junctions coupled with a high density of vehicular movement, presence of offices, resi dential buildings, and human activities. Five air pollutants from vehicular emissions were monitored, namely: carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), particulate matter (PM 2.5) and particulate matter (PM 10). Assessments were carried out within 3 hours per dual diur nal section using approved standard methods which were converted to a 1-hour mean for the morning and afternoon period of sampling 7-10 am and 2-5 pm. These periods are known for the peak of human and vehicular movement within the study area. Results show that the highest level of CO concentration (0.293 - 0.387 ppm) was recorded at Alaba market and is less than the permissible limit of 35 ppm given by national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS). The highest range of CO2 (1153 - 1875 ppm) was rec orded from Alaba market which is higher than the ambient standard of 314 ppm. The highest level of NO2 (0.116 - 0.297 ppm) was recorded from Relief market which is also higher than the permissible limit (0.100 ppm) of NAAQS. The highest range of particulate matter of PM 2.5 and PM 10 was recorded from Relief market (0.011 - 0.029 μg/m3) and (0.065 - 0.172 μg/m3) respectively and is far lower than the permissible limit (150 μg/m3) of NAAQS and WHO (base on target 1) standards. The study, therefore, con cludes that there is a significant impact of emission from vehicles in the se lected markets in Owerri metropolis as result indicates a high risk of health problems in the markets due to the high level of CO2 and NO2. It, therefore,recommends that an adequate mechanism should be put in place to decong est traffic density in the city especially near markets so as to have a substantial reduction in vehicular emissions and improve the livability of the citizens.