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Increasing air pollution and decreasing exposure to greenness may contribute to the metabolic syndrome (MetS). We examined associations between long-term exposure to residential greenness and air pollution and MetS incidence in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, Thailand. Data from 1369 employees (aged 52–71 years) from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand cohort from 2002 to 2017 were analyzed. The greenness level within 500 m of each participant’s residence was measured using the satellite-derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI). The kriging approach was used to generate the average concentration of each air pollutant (PM10, CO, SO2, NO2, and O3) at the sub-district level. The average long-term exposure to air pollution and greenness for each participant was calculated over the same period of person-time. Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the greenness-air pollution-MetS associations. The adjusted hazard ratio of MetS was 1.42 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32, 1.53), 1.22 (95% CI: 1.15, 1.30), and 2.0 (95% CI: 1.82, 2.20), per interquartile range increase in PM10 (9.5 μg/m3), SO2 (0.9 ppb), and CO (0.3 ppm), respectively. We found no clear association between NDVI or EVI and the incidence of MetS. On the contrary, the incident MetS was positively associated with NDVI and EVI for participants exposed to PM10 at concentrations more than 50 μg/m3. In summary, the incidence of MetS was positively associated with long-term exposure to air pollution. In areas with high levels of air pollution, green spaces may not benefit health outcomes.

Although molecular data have revealed the vast scope of microbial diversity 1 , two fundamental questions remain unanswered even for well-defined natural microbial communities: how many bacterial types co-exist, and are such types naturally organized into phylogenetically discrete units of potential ecological significance? It has been argued that without such information, the environmental function, population biology and biogeography of microorganisms cannot be rigorously explored 2 . Here we address these questions by comprehensive sampling of two large 16S ribosomal RNA clone libraries from a coastal bacterioplankton community. We show that compensation for artefacts generated by common library construction techniques reveals fine-scale patterns of community composition. At least 516 ribotypes (unique rRNA sequences) were detected in the sample and, by statistical extrapolation, at least 1,633 co-existing ribotypes in the sampled population. More than 50% of the ribotypes fall into discrete clusters containing less than 1% sequence divergence. This pattern cannot be accounted for by interoperon variation, indicating a large predominance of closely related taxa in this community. We propose that such microdiverse clusters arise by selective sweeps and persist because competitive mechanisms are too weak to purge diversity from within them.

The genomic diversity and relative importance of distinct genotypes within natural bacterial populations have remained largely unknown. Here, we analyze the diversity and annual dynamics of a group of coastal bacterioplankton (greater than 99% 16S ribosomal RNA identity to Vibrio splendidus). We show that this group consists of at least a thousand distinct genotypes, each occurring at extremely low environmental concentrations (on average less than one cell per milliliter). Overall, the genomes show extensive allelic diversity and size variation. Individual genotypes rarely recurred in samples, and allelic distribution did not show spatial or temporal substructure. Ecological considerations suggest that much genotypic and possibly phenotypic variation within natural populations should be considered neutral.

Eutrophication in the Gulf of Thailand can trigger serious ecological and economic impacts of Thailand. Maeklong River, one of the five major rivers flowing into the Gulf, carries nutrients into the Gulf of Thailand and causes eutrophication. This study aims to determine sources and amounts of nitrogen from man-made activities in Ratchaburi and Samut Songkhram Provinces where Maeklong river basin is located. The study applied mass flow concept to analyze nitrogen and its contribution ratio from anthropogenic activity, and recommended strategies to solve eutrophication problem in the Maeklong River. The scope of nitrogen flow analysis is classified into four main activities including agriculture (rice cultivation, livestock, and aquaculture), industry, households, waste management, and wastewater treatment. The results indicated that total nitrogen release into the river in 2010 is 25,911 tN. Livestock farming is the major activity discharging nitrogen into the river which accounted for 55 % (14,241 tN) of the total discharge nitrogen. Industry and household are the second and the third highest contributors of N stock into the river, respectively. Other activities have less significant contribution of discharging nitrogen into the river. To reduce N in the river, it is recommended increase efficiency and coverage areas of wastewater collection system and apply best practice technology to help reducing nitrogen discharge. Increase efficiency of water usages and water conservation in all activities can help reduce pollution at source and mitigate impacts from eutrophication.

This study analyzed the factors influencing a community-based waste recycling program to achieve a recycling rate 5–11 times/members higher than average community-based recycling programs in Thailand. This study identified key factors and insights from waste bank members to provide recommendations for improving the performance of other community-based programs. A face-to-face survey was conducted in Phang Khon Municipality (PKM), Thailand, where the waste bank is situated. A total of 386 questionnaires were analyzed by descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression analysis. The investigation tested how selected variables, such as socioeconomic factors, attitude toward sound waste management practices, types of waste separation, and additional willingness to pay for improving the waste management system, have an influence on different groups of recyclers and impact recycling performance. The findings revealed that members of the waste bank have different socioeconomic and pro-recycling characteristics, i.e., attitude toward proper waste management practices, recycling practice, and additional willingness to pay for improving the waste management system, compared to respondents who recycle through direct waste selling, and who do not recycle. Based on key factor findings in this study, policy recommendation for waste management entities are provided.

The study aimed to evaluate co-benefits in term of GHG reduction, and avoided landfill costs by implementing a community-based management (CBM) program for municipal solid waste (MSW). Two towns of peri-urban settlement in Thailand were investigated in case studies to compare eco-performance between the towns with and without implementation of the CBM program. MSW mass flows together with MSW utilization records were analyzed based on data in year 2013. Climate co-benefits from waste utilization activities were examined. Results from the study indicated that waste banks in the CBM program can effectively divert most of recyclables from entering landfills. The performance of “waste bank—recyclable recovery program” recycling rate from the case study with CBM is 172.20 kg per member per year, which is about 926% higher than average CBMs with MSW recycling in Thailand, and the success of CBM can be attributed to its curbside pickup service and fair-pricing of recyclables. The study also found that if the town decided to divert wastes from landfilling, carbon intensity of the MSW system would be 0.47 tons of CO2-eq per ton of collected MSW. The landfilling cost would be approximately 7.41 USD per ton of MSW as landfilling cost. With CBM programs, current MSW reutilization rate has achieved 9.68% of generated waste, and 16.80% of GHG emission has been avoided, along with a reduction in landfill costs of 11.57%. Two scenarios of waste utilization in Thailand were explored and compared, in terms of which scenarios yielded the highest co-benefits. The study demonstrates that by allowing local mechanism and community involvement programs to develop with operational waste banks, the efficiency of collecting recycling wastes increased. A similar system can be applied to other communities in other countries.

Flood disasters associated with tropical storms have caused extensive and repeated damage to shrimp farms located in the Bangpakong River Basin, Chachoengsao Province, Thailand, which features the largest area of inland shrimp farming in the country. This study aims to assess the current vulnerability of shrimp farms to flooding and to examine the shrimp farmers’ actual adaptation practices for coping with floods based on past flood events. A flood vulnerability map was developed based on the geo-environmental characteristics of the study area. The map was produced through the use of geographic information system methods and a multicriteria evaluation. The current vulnerability map indicates that the majority of shrimp farms in the Bangpakong River Basin are highly vulnerable to flooding when the 10-day cumulative rainfall is >250–300 mm. The highly vulnerable area identified by the map is consistent with the area impacted by flooding in 2011. Based on a questionnaire, the majority of shrimp farmers have developed various adaptation practices to cope with flooding. The most common practice for minimizing flood damage is to increase the height of dikes around shrimp ponds. Because of budgetary constraints, approximately 20 % of small-scale shrimp farmers did not implement any adaptation practices and risked potential damage. With increasing climate change threats, these research results are useful for planning and creating policies that can reduce flood damage to shrimp farms in vulnerable zones. The results can also be applied to other areas facing similar conditions.

Stakeholders in multimodal freight transport encounter significant challenges due to the multitude of unknowns and inherent risks that can adversely affect operations. The subjective nature of the information complicates the identification and assessment of these risks, making them particularly challenging in the context of multimodal transport, where the potential consequences can be substantial. This research intends to provide a comprehensive understanding of the asymmetries in risks associated with multimodal freight transport by identifying and evaluating quantitative hazards. By integrating fuzzy set theory and failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA), the study offers a structured approach to statistically forecast risks, addressing imprecision in traditional risk assessments. Qualitative interviews conducted with multimodal freight transport operators in Thailand reveal critical insights, including the identification of high-priority risks such as delays from regulatory compliance, inadequate infrastructure, and inefficiencies in stakeholder communication. The findings of this study not only highlight these pressing issues but also provide actionable strategies to mitigate risks, thereby enhancing the operational resilience of multimodal freight transport systems.

Purpose Urbanization and industrial development intensify water utilization and wastewater generation. The efficiency of wastewater treatment systems varies and depends on system design and wastewater condition. The research aims to examine seven existing centralized municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Bangkok to discover which system configuration yields the best environmental and economic performance. The degree of environmental impact and operational costs from different system designs were investigated to help select future wastewater treatment systems. Methods Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been conducted to evaluate environmental impacts from centralized municipal wastewater treatment systems. Life cycle impact assessment method based on endpoint modeling (LIME) was applied, with three major potential environmental impact categories including eutrophication, global warming, and acidification. All seven centralized municipal WWTPs in Bangkok were investigated as case studies. The system configurations are classified into five types of activated sludge (AS) systems. The contribution of impacts from individual processes in each type of AS system was analyzed. The methodology covered major on-site and off-site operational processes excluding construction and maintenance phases. Average annual data were calculated to develop an inventory dataset. JEMAI-Pro software was utilized in this study to analyze the life cycle impact of the systems. Results and discussion The level of environmental impact from a WWTP depends on the configuration of the AS system. The highest potential environmental impact from a municipal WWTP is eutrophication, which is obviously affected by ammonium and phosphorous discharges into water bodies. The vertical loop reactor activated sludge (VLRAS) system yielded the best treatment performance among the five AS sub-systems. The consumption of electricity used to operate the system contributed significantly to global warming potential and correlated considerably with operating costs. Comparing among three system sizes, the large-scale WWTP revealed inefficient electricity consumption, whereas the medium plant provided better performance in chemical use and operating costs. Conclusions Centralized municipal WWTPs with capacities ranging from 10 to 350 × 10 3  m 3 /day were evaluated with respect to environmental performance and costs during the operating phase. Among all case studies, a medium-scale WWTP with a VLRAS system offered the best operating performance in terms of low environmental impact, resource consumption, and cost. To enhance WWTP management, it is vital to improve the efficiency of electricity consumption in primary and secondary treatment processes and increase wastewater collection efficiency to maximize the plant operating capacity and minimize overall environmental impacts.

Under the pressure of rapid urbanization, many cities encounter a great challenge in providing decent and efficient waste management service. Many ongoing and previous studies have experimented with various techniques to provide suggestions and alternatives to improve solid waste management in urbanized areas. There is a demand for the development of high-impact information and detailed planning approaches, which can lead to effective waste management. The goal of this research is to analyze how to apply various sets of performance indicators as a predetermined parameter to prioritize hot spots in waste generation and handling in the city. Due to limited resources in the public finance sectors of government agencies, tackling solid waste issues with the most effective efforts will help solve the problem more quickly and efficiently. The study examined how geospatial data can be used to assist with municipal solid waste management planning and monitoring. The study determined how to use a set of waste management indicators to better manage solid waste issues in the city of Bangkok. Hot spot areas are identified and mapped using geographic information systems (GIS). Results indicate that 85% of hot spot areas are located near the On Nuch transfer station, and ~ 70% of hot spot areas are located in the central and southern zones of Bangkok. Ultimately, the research analyzed information to develop a short-term recommendation that focuses on improving waste pickup schedules and routing and on providing a long-term recommendation for reducing waste generation rates and improving waste management technology in sub-district areas. This study can provide a foundation for how to select a set of indicators and use geospatial data to better assist with environmental management planning to make recommendations in any urbanized city.