Concealed Environmental Threat in the Coastal Region Requires Persistent Attention:The Panglao Island,Philippines Example

Panglao is a small island in the central part of the Philippines and well-known for its world-class beaches and coral reefs. These attract millions of tourists each year thus providing business opportunities and employment, a significant source of revenue for the local economy. Moreover, this island lies in a region with high biodiversity. However, the escalating activity is so alarming that the negative effect to the local environment is very much prevalent but not easily perceivable. Analysis and measurement of physico-chemical parameters of the groundwater revealed high levels of human-induced contaminants. This subterranean pollution was attributable to the leakage of septic tanks, artificial application of disinfectants as well as infiltration of saltwater from the ocean due to over-extraction of groundwater in order to meet the increasing demand for water. The community within the area was oblivious because human impacts to the environment appear to be virtually absent. These findings clearly suggest the concealed vulnerability of the groundwater resources from human activities. Higher standard for the coastal development plan, strong implementation of environmental policy and immediate government action is deemed necessary.

Biodegradation of Medicinal Plants Waste in an Anaerobic Digestion Reactor for Biogas Production

Glycyrrhiza glabra,Mint,Cuminum cyminum,Lavender and Arctium medicinal are considered as edible plants with therapeutic properties and as medicinal plants in Iran.After extraction process of medicinal plants,residual wastes are not suitable for animal feed and are considered as waste and as an environmental threat.At present there is no proper management of waste of these plants and they are burned or buried.The present study discusses the possibility of biogas production from Glycyrrhiza Glabra Waste(GGW),Mentha Waste(MW),Cuminum Cyminum Waste(CCW),Lavender Waste(LW)and Arctium Waste(AW).250 g of these plants with TS of 10%were digested in the batch type reactors at the temperature of 35℃.The highest biogas production rate were observed to be 13611 mL and 13471 mL for CCW and GGW(10%TS),respectively.While the maximum methane was related to GGW with a value of 9041 mL(10%TS).The highest specific biogas and methane production were related to CCW with value of 247.4 mL.(g.VS)-1 and 65.1 mL.(g.VS)-1,respectively.As an important result,it was obvious that in lignocellulose materials,it cannot be concluded that the materials with similar ratio of C/N has the similar digestion and biogas production ability.

Diffuse pollution: A hidden threat to the water environment of the developing world

This Special Section collects eight articles from the 16th IWA International Conference on Diffuse Pollution and Eutrophication （16th DIPCON）, which was held in Beijing on 18 to 23 August, 2013. These articles focus on the diffuse pollution problems encountered in the development process.