Book Chapters

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 5

A water angle on Africa’s 2050 food security challenge
(Taylor & Francis, 2025-01) Veldwisch, Gert Jan; Denison, Jonathan; Izzi, Gabriella; Kamwamba‑Mtethiwa, Jean; Komakech, Hans; Mati, Bancy; Waalewijn, Pieter
Biochar-based technology in water and wastewater treatment
(Elsevier Inc., 2025) Bayuo, Jonas; Alayande, Abayomi; Mtei, Kelvin; Rwiza, Mwemezi
This book chapter summarizes the most recent developments in the utilization of biochar technology for treating environmental pollutants from wastewater, including industrial, agricultural, municipal, and stormwater. It starts by discussing biochar as a concept, the type of biomass feedstocks from which biochar can be synthesized, and the properties of biochar. Also, the elemental composition, surface chemistry, and the characterization of the biochar using different instruments have been elucidated. The ability of biochar to remove different contaminants from water systems has been insighfully discussed in this book chapter, although there are still certain knowledge gaps requiring to be addressed. Therefore, at the concluding end of this book chapter, future prospectives for the selection, preparation, and application of biocharbased materials have been proposed. This book chapter will be very beneficial to new researchers and other scholars to systematically gain insight into the research advancements on biocharbased sorbent materials in environmental remediation.
Climate change impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation in East Africa (EA) and South America (SA)
(Springer International Publishing, 2016-10-13) Omambia, Anne; Shemsanga, Ceven; Hernandez, Ivonne
In recent decades, global climate change has continued to cause devastating impacts to various places on Earth. Geographic and socioeconomic characteristics in East Africa (EA) and South America (SA) make the regions among the most vulnerable to the current temperature variations attracting several studies with wider implications. Presently, in these two regions, remarkable evidence of climate change includes repeated droughts and increase in drylands affecting water and food availability for humans, livestock, and wildlife (EA); intensification of climate-sensitive diseases; sea level rise; fast retreat of glaciers on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mount Kenya in Kenya, and Andean Mountains of South America; change in the rainfall patterns in the Amazon forests and in the whole of EA; and increasing of the frequency and intensity of the El Niño and La Niña phenomenon in the South Pacific that affect both EA and SA, among others. Although these two regions are not major contributors of greenhouse gases (GHGs), the poor conservation of strategic ecosystems through deforestation of the Amazon forests in SA and various forests in EA coupled with intensification of agriculture, land degradation, rapid rates of urbanization, and industrialization all driven by rapid population increase are putting a strain on valuable natural resources whose conservation would be critical in mitigating climate change. Adaptation measures have been constrained by climate change impacts. In both regions, poverty is widespread and climate change impacts have jeopardized most poverty alleviation initiatives including realization of some of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Moreover, both regions have a strong dependency on rain-fed agriculture for economic development with hydroelectricity and biomass as main sources of energy. Consequently, adaptation measures are required for all the sectors but especially in agriculture, health, and energy where the loss of soil productivity, increasing spread of climate-sensitive diseases, and reduction of water and energy source supply are already threatening the social and economic security of both regions. Both regions have a wealth of indigenous knowledge and coping mechanisms of various local communities that should be incorporated into conventional adaptation measures of climate change. This chapter describes the main climate change impacts in EA and SA, vulnerabilities thereon, and adaptation measures that offer an opportunity to the two regions to develop in a sustainable way.
Micro and Nanoplastics: Contamination of Soil
(Springer, 2025-06-17) Pegu, Ratul; Paul, Sarmistha; Hezron, Elkana; Paul, Bishal; Moirana, Ruth
Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) are tiny particles formed from the breakdown of plastic waste. They enter the soil through landfills, agricultural practices like mulching, and irrigation with sewage water and cause several environmental problems. The movement of MNPs within the soil depends on factors like soil organisms and the soil's physical and chemical properties. When MNPs mix with soil, they change its structure and interact with other soil components, impacting soil health and behavior. MNPs also increase the adsorption of harmful pollutants, worsening soil pollution and in turn harming plants, animals, microbes, and even humans. These tiny particles can be eaten by soil organisms due to their small size, allowing them to travel through the food chain. This causes both physical and physiological harm. Therefore, in recent decades, environmental specialists and contributors have raised awareness and issued warnings regarding the pollution of micro- and nano-plastics in the soil environment. The rapid increase in plastic waste is now one of the most serious environmental challenges. Therefore, through this chapter authors aim to explain the effects of MNPs on soil properties, soil microbes, soil animals, and human health.
Statistics in Climate Variability, Dry Spells, and Implications for Local Livelihoods in Semiarid Regions of Tanzania: The Way Forward
(Springer Nature Switzerland AG., 2016-10-13) Shemsanga, Ceven; Muzuka, Afred; Martz, Lawrence; Komakech, Hans; Omambia, Anne Nyatichi
The Dodoma municipality, a semiarid region of Tanzania, is characterized by limited rains, lack of surface water sources, and a high frequency of extreme climate events, particularly droughts and floods. These disadvantaged settings make it vital to study long-term climate trends for signals and patterns of shifting climate regimes for integrity of local livelihood support systems, especially agriculture, recharge, and pasture developments. The area has fairly long climate records, some of which extend to about 100 years. This chapter presents detailed analysis of six climate parameters, namely, rainfall (R), atmospheric relative humidity (ARH), temperature (T), sunshine (S), radiation (RD), wind speed (WS), and evaporation (ET) records from three meteorological stations, namely, Hombolo Agrovet (HMS), Dodoma (DMS), and Makutupora (MMS). The parameters above were statistically and graphically analyzed in four time scales, namely, monthly, seasonal, annual, and time series. The results showed the area is characterized by slight spatial variability in R intensity and T magnitudes with HMS having higher T and rains than DMS and MMS. Further there are clear decreasing trends in ARH and R, while T, S, WS, ET, and RD parameters showed characteristic increasing trends. Thus, except for extreme rain events, particularly El Niño-Southern Oscillations (ENSO), which are characterized by abnormally increased R magnitudes, R intensity has generally decreased in which over the past 91 years, there has been a net R decrease of 54 mm out of annual rains of only about 550 mm/year. Compared to annual time step, however, monthly step reveals more silent features like shortening of the growing seasons. Similarly, the frequency and severity of drought episodes are increasing, all of which adversely impact agriculture, pasture development, and recharge. Similarly, disappearance of R in some months, shifting seasonality, and general declining R intensities and magnitudes are clearly observed. May rains have largely disappeared, while in January, February, March, and April rains have decreased and hence shortening the length of growing season. On the other hand, clear warming trends and declining ARH were also observed. Yet the area is marked by cyclic wetting and drying events where in recent years, drying cycles have been prolonged. However, there is more variability in the mean minimum temperature (MMT) than in mean maximum temperatures (MMMT) in all stations. Between 1961 and 2012, there has been a net 1.13 and 0.778 °C increases in annual MMT and MMMT in DMS, respectively. Like for R trends, silent features are more evident under monthly T data than annual time steps where it is clear that June had the highest increase in MMT (1.54 °C), while April had the least (only 0.662 °C). However, both trends have the potential of affecting major livelihood support systems particularly agriculture and pasture development, but also local groundwater recharge that is vital for the local economy. The study area therefore offers a rare opportunity to understand and manage changing climate regimes including on extent of dry spells and longevity of growing seasons. The changing climate trends consequently call for significant adaptation and mitigation strategies so that local activities adjust to the current climate regimes particularly on onset and end of rainfall seasons and recharge fluxes.

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