Technology and Transformation of Contemporary Leadership
Leadership is an indispensably imperative instrument to the leaders to steering the development of an organization, or a country or the globe as a whole in a relative dealing with associated many factors in every era during the growth of civilization. Thus the significance and necessity of leadership are becoming increasingly recognized in the contemporary period. In this modern era, the successful utilization of technology and contemporary lifestyles has become an essential component of leadership. A leader must embrace a more purposeful management approach in order to achieve success. This involves adopting novel tactics and concepts while simultaneously remaining adaptable and receptive to change. Today an organization usually faces challenges in creativity and transformation and contemporary leadership approaches tend to be more appropriate, particularly in a global setting. In this analytical research, a thorough examination of contemporary leadership approaches and transformation are evaluated for the modern era where 4th Industrial Revolution, smart and advanced technologies play a crucial role.
Read moreSolar-Powered Boats for Bangladesh Inland Waterways: State of the Art and Future Prospects
Bangladesh’s inland waterways form one of the world’s largest transport networks. Yet most vessels operating in these waterways are still dependent on diesel propulsion which comes with high operating costs and environmental pollution. With average solar radiation of about 4.5 kWh/m² per day, solar-powered boats offer a clean, environment friendly and practical alternative to diesel for inland transportation. This paper reviews the technological evolution and performance of solar-powered pilot project boats in Bangladeshi contexts. This study also examines their technical, economic, environmental, policy and institutional dimensions. The findings show that solar boats can reliably operate at low to moderate speeds, achieving fuel-free operation and reducing more than five tonnes of CO₂
emissions per vessel each year. Due to substantial savings in fuel and maintenance,economic assessment identifies solar powered boats as a financially advantageous option over long run operation. However, barriers such as high upfront costs, limited manufacturing capability, and weak policy integration hinder widespread adoption. The paper provides valuable insights on mainstreaming solar propulsion in Bangladeshi inland transportation network and advancing low-carbon transport, lowering costs and also setting an example for other riverine nations.
Marine Heatwaves in the Bay of Bengal: A Synthesis of Observed Trends, Climate Drivers, Modeling Gaps, and Future Challenges
Marine heatwaves (MHWs) are increasingly recognized as a major expression of ocean warming, with rising ecological and socio-economic consequences. The Bay of Bengal (BoB) is particularly vulnerable because strong upper-ocean stratification, large freshwa ter inputs, and monsoon-driven variability favor surface heat retention and amplify temperature extremes. This review synthesizes four decades of BoB-relevant MHW research to summarize observed patterns, dominant drivers, detection and modeling prac tices, and key gaps that limit forecasting and preparedness. A structured, multi-source literature synthesis was conducted using peer-reviewed articles, conference papers, and institutional reports spanning 1982–2024. Studies were included if they examined the BoB or adjacent eastern Indian Ocean, applied percentile-based MHW definitions consistent with established approaches, and reported observational, reanalysis, or model-based anal yses. Evidence from satellite SST products and reanalysis-based studies indicates that Bay of Bengal MHWs have become more frequent, longer-lasting, and more intense since the early 1980s. Findings were organized across spatial–seasonal variability, physical drivers, climate teleconnections, detection constraints, and modeling approaches. Across the reviewed literature, BoB MHW behavior is linked to coupled local–remote processes, including air–sea heat-flux anomalies, stratification and mixed-layer dynamics, mesoscale eddies, and modulation by climate models such as ENSO and the IOD. Reported metrics vary partly due to differences in baseline selection, detection settings, and data limitations, highlighting the need for more consistent reporting. Modeling practice remains weighted toward retrospective detection tools, while process-resolving high-resolution regional models and hybrid (dynamical + data-driven) forecasting approaches remain underutilized for BoB applications. Strengthening BoB preparedness requires standardizing detection parameters, improving obser vation and validation of stratification and mixing processes, and expanding the use of high-reso lution and hybrid forecasting frameworks to support early warning and adaptation planning.
Read moreMonsoon-Driven Variability and Long-Term Monitoring of Estuarine Water Quality in the Meghna Estuary, Coastal Bangladesh, Using Geospatial Techniques
Coastal and estuarine ecosystems are vital yet highly vulnerable to climatic variability and anthropogenic pressures that disrupt water quality dynamics. Understanding these varia tions in the Meghna Estuary is essential due to its ecological and socio-economic impor tance to Bangladesh’s coastal communities. The research study aims to examine long-term and seasonal variations in Surface Water Quality Parameters (SWQP) across 33 years (1990–2023) with a six-year interval, focusing on pre-monsoon and post-monsoon condi tions. Multi-temporal Landsat satellite images downloaded from USGS Earth Explorer, were analyzed with the help of ArcGIS 10.7 software deriving ten parameters, including BOD, COD, DO, pH, SST, SSS, SChl, TDS, TSS and Turbidity. Analytical techniques such as the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Water Quality Index (CCME-WQI), Iso Cluster Unsupervised Classification (ICUC), Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Mann–Kendall (MK) trend tests were employed to evaluate spatial and temporal patterns. The result of the study reveals distinct seasonal contrasts as pre-monsoon waters exhibited higher salinity, TDS, and organic loads, whereas post-monsoon conditions showed elevated turbidity, suspended solids, and chlorophyll-a due to monsoon-induced runoff and sediment transport. The MK trend test and PCA indicated a long-term decline in salinity and dissolved solids, alongside increasing eutrophic tendencies and organic pollution. The CCME-WQI values demonstrated gradual improvement during pre-monsoon but deterioration in post-monsoon periods, reflecting the shifting of hydrological and anthropogenic influences. The study emphasizes the importance of enhancing pollution control policies at the water shed level, rigorously enforcing effluent discharge regulations, and incorporating remote sensing-based monitoring frameworks into national coastal management to ensure sustain able estuarine resource governance in Bangladesh.
Read moreEvaluating Water-Driven Ecosystem Sustainability Using Machine Learning Assisted GeoAI and Remote Sensing: Evidence from Rajbari, Magura, and Kushtia Districts
Bangladesh, where floodplain landscapes integrate growing urbanization and environ mental vulnerability, monitoring Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) trends is crucial. This study uses multi-temporal Landsat 8 images from 2015, 2020, and 2024 to examine spatio temporal LULC variations in the southwestern districts of Kushtia, Rajbari, and Magura, also using Geospatial AI (GeoAI). Land alteration patterns within the Ganges floodplain were quantified using supervised classification based on a Random Forest algorithm in Google Earth Engine and ArcGIS. Four LULC classes waterbodies, vegetation, built-up areas, and barren land were analyzed to determine urban expansion, land degradation, and ecological change. The outcomes reveal significant differences between districts. Kushtia had substantial urban expansion, with built-up areas expanding from 12.48% in 2015 to 29.73% in 2024, mostly displacing vegetated and barren land. Increased imperme able surfaces and possible hydrological disruptions through modified runoff and decreased infiltration are suggested by the expansion's coincidence with decreasing plant cover and slight decreases in surface water extent. With implications for hydrological instability, Rajbari showed a persistent decrease in vegetation and a nearly threefold increase in barren land, indicating ecological degradation probably caused by riverbank erosion, land abandonment, and climate stress.Whereas Magura displayed a more sustainable trend, highlighted by increased plant cover and a large reduction in bare terrain alongside signif icant urban growth. Although localized changes show the susceptibility of peripheral aquatic systems, waterbodies in all districts remained largely constant. Classification accuracy was high, with total accuracy surpassing 87% and Kappa coefficients above 0.85. To reduce hydrological disruption and improve landscape resilience, the results high light the necessity of district-specific land-use and water-sensitive design techniques.
Read moreAssessment of the Gradual Emergence of Putney Island, Bangladesh Using Geospatial Techniques
Bangladesh is a deltaic country, comprising the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) River system delta, the largest delta in the world. By accumulating sediment, this active delta continues to expand the shelf regions of Bangladesh, forming new offshore islands in the southern coastal region. Putney Island is a new offshore island in Bangladesh's southwestern coastal zone. This study aims to understand the island's evolution history, spatiotemporal migration, and land cover changes by estimating erosion and accretion, shoreline shifts, and Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes from 1992 to 2022. Landsat satellite images from 1992, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020, and 2022 have been used in the analysis, which was conducted using ArcGIS 10.5 and ERDAS IMAGINE 2014. At present, the island has a total land area of 5.62 km2. Since 1992, it has shifted dramatically in a northwesterly direction, according to the significant finding of this study; erosion and
accretion processes have influenced changes in land cover patterns. The most significant changes were recorded between 2005 and 2015. Between 2005 and 2010, the island experienced erosion of 3.18 km2 of land, and between 2010 and 2015, the island reached its highest land boundary (7.94 km2) through accretion of 6 km2. Sediment influx might had significant influences during cyclone periods as Bangladesh is a cyclone prone country. Land cover and vegetation studies indicate that the island is covered by 4 km2 of vegetation, mostly mangroves and wetlands in the south. However, despite these dynamic processes, the island has significant potential to contribute to the country's economy.
Ecotoxicological Assessment of Microplastics in Commercial Fish Species of the Southern Coast of Bangladesh
Plastic pollution is a critical global issue, with microplastics (MPs) posing a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health. This study investigates the occurrence and associated ecotoxicological risks of MPs in an exploratory way in three commercially vital fish species: Otolithoidespama (Poa), Glossogobiusgiuris (Bele), and Euthynnusaffinis (Little Tuna), collected from the Kuakata coast of Bangladesh. MPs were extracted from the gills and gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) of collected fishes using peroxide digestion, followed by characterization via microscopy and Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. Results revealed MP contamination in all species, with fibers being the most prevalent form. G. giuris exhibited the highest overall MP abundance, while E. affinis showed the lowest. Polymer analysis identified ten types, including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and the highly hazardous polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyure thane (PU). The ecotoxicological risk assessment revealed a concerning scenario. Pollution Load Index (PLI) indicated moderate contamination across all samples. However, Polymer Hazard Index (PHI) and Polymer Risk Index (PRI) highlighted significant risks, particular ly from PVC and PU, which were classified as posing an extreme danger. G. giuris was found to have the highest PRI, suggesting that its consumption could pose a considerable health risk. These findings underscore the pervasive nature of MP pollution in the fishery resources of Bangladesh and emphasize the urgent need for targeted environmental moni toring and public health policies to ensure food safety and security.
Read moreHeavy Metal Contamination and Health Risk Assessment in the Meghna River Estuary During Monsoon
The estuarine region, due to its transitional location and dynamic physiochemical influ ences on component distribution, is very susceptible to heavy metal pollution. This study investigates the spatial and vertical distribution of 11 heavy metals (Al, As, B, Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Zn) during monsoon in the Meghna River estuary, the possible contributing geochemical processes and associated health risks. Samples were procured from bottom and surface of five stations from the river and analyzed for their concentration. Results unraveled, the bottom waters in upstream favored the resuspension of metals like Fe, Mn and Al, presumably impacted by slightly acidic conditions. On the other hand, Sr and B concentrated in the downstream stations possibly enhanced by increased salinity. Cu and Ni showed trivial presence in the sample waters and Zn and Ba had medium concentra tions, which increased slightly at the bottom samples in downstream. Distribution patterns and Principal Component Analysis revealed, altogether the elements are distributed by hydrodynamic sorting, estuarine mixing and sediment-water interactions. Risk assessment results indicate that non-carcinogenic risks are mainly associated with the oral exposure pathway, with Al and As contributing most strongly to elevated hazard indices at several stations, whereas dermal exposure posed negligible risk across the study area. Carcino genic risk estimates suggest that As is the dominant contributor, with cumulative risk values exceeding the commonly accepted guideline at selected stations. Given the limited spatial and temporal coverage of the study, these findings should be regarded as indicative and highlight the need for continued monitoring and more comprehensive investigations to better understand the processes controlling heavy metal distribution and associated health risks in the Meghna River estuary. Risk assessment and indices revealed immense non-car cinogenic risks as Hazard Index exceeded the threshold in all the stations, primarily due to Al, As and Pb. Arsenic concentration surpassed the permitted threshold level in almost every sample raising the Carcinogenic Risks over the acceptable limits. The study under scores the need for urgent need for mitigation strategies, along with comprehensive studies to delineate the contribution of geogenic and physiochemical processes responsible for element distribution, to safeguard the health of populations reliant on the Meghna estuary.
Read moreAnthropogenic Forcing and Its Ecological Consequences on Saint Martin Island's Environment in Bangladesh: Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques
Saint Martin’s Island, the only coral-bearing island in Bangladesh, is a unique and ecologically sensitive region experiencing significant land use and land cover (LULC) changes due to anthropogenic influences. The aim of the study was to determine the land use and land cover changes from 1990 to 2023 years and determination of the changes of different types of ecosystems due to anthropogenic forcing. The research study employed Landsat satellite imagery for data analysis with the help of remote sensing and GIS techniques. Over the 33-year study period, built-up areas increased by 0.0477 km², while vegetation and barren land decreased by 0.1728 km² and 0.2799 km², respectively. Agricultural land expanded by 0.5014 km², replacing natural landscapes due to growing population pressure and rising tourism. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) indicated increased agricultural expansion at the expense of dense vegetation cover. Population growth surged from 3,700 in 1996 to 9,000 in 2021, while tourist influx rose from 150–200 in 1997 to 6,000–7,000 in 2018. Alarmingly, coral cover shrank from 1.3284 km² in 1980 to 0.3942 km² in 2018, and coral species declined from 141 in 1980 to 41 in 2015, highlighting severe ecological degradation. The study underscores the urgent need for policy interventions to regulate land use and tourism, ensuring the island's ecological sustainability.
Collaborative efforts between researchers and policymakers are crucial to preserving Saint Martin’s Island’s biodiversity and mitigating further environmental damage.
Analyzing the Prospects and Challenges for Using Solar Energy in the Merchant Vessels
Solar energy may now be used for a variety of maritime applications, such as monitoring marine conditions and powering boats and ships, thanks to advancements in solar-powered marine technologies. This study investigates the advantages and challenges of utilizing solar energy in merchant vessels by focusing on the impact of solar technologies on environ mental performance, regulatory compliance, and operational effectiveness. The study adopted a qualitative method with close ended questionnaire on random sampling method through an online survey. Data obtained from questionnaires were qualitatively analyzed using evocative analytical tools. The results c support targeted policies, rules, and incen tives meant to increase the environmental friendliness and sustainability of the marine industry. Solar-powered ships represent a growing trend in sustainable maritime technolo gy, aiming to drastically reduce emissions and fuel consumption while enhancing opera tional efficiency through innovative designs. In the end, it aspires to provide practical guid ance on how to enhance the viability of solar energy solutions in the maritime sector.
Read moreComparative Evaluation and Regulatory Gaps in the Bangla desh’s Inland Shipping Ordinance 1976 Against Classification Society Standards: Implications for Ferry Safety Reform
Inland Water Transport (IWT) is the backbone of Bangladesh's economy and its social life.However, its potential isalways wasted becauseof the high frequency of ferry accidents. The present study investigates the systemic regulatory failures that cause these events. Qualitative comparative analysis has been used to examine the Inland Shipping Ordinance 1976 (ISO 1976) in Bangladesh. This domestic law is compared against the comprehensive rules of three leading classification societies: Det Norske Veritas (DNV), Bureau Veritas (BV), and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). These international organizations maintain advanced maritime safety standards. Analysis was structured into nine key safety areas and discussed in the context of a case study of the 2021 Ro-Ro Ferry Amanat Shah accident. The analysis finds that ISO 1976 is well behind the times and requires upgrada tionacross all nine categories, ranging from design life to survey arrangements. The ordinance provisions tendto becompletely nonspecific or generalized on crucial safety matters carefully outlined in classification society rules. These regulatory loopholes were found to be directly correlated with the causative factors of the Amanat Shah accident, such as the ship's advanced age, unresolved stability issues, and a poor survey track record.Bangladesh's IWT sector's persistent safety crisis is a consequence of a stagnant, inadequate local regulatory system that has lagged behind modern maritime safety standards. There is an urgent and fundamental need to reform ISO 1976on the basis of best-practice principles and technical guidelines.
Read moreAssessment of Groundwater Quality and Its Implications for Sustainable Water Management in southwestern region of Bangladesh: A Study in Mongla Upazila, Bagerhat on Hydrogeochemical Parameters
The coastal region of Bangladesh, especially Mongla Upazila in the Bagerhat District, is vulnerable to groundwater contamination caused by both natural and anthropogenic factors. Saline water intrusion, influenced by tidal dynamics and human activities such as shrimp farming, has extremely effected groundwater quality. This study confidently set out to evaluate the physicochemical and hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater in Mongla Upazila, focusing on parameters such as Electrical Conductivity (EC), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), salinity, pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), and major ions of groundwater. Utilizing water quality index (WQI) methods, the study assessed the groundwater potability and found out that all sampling stations surpassed the allowable thresholds for
drinking water, showing severe contamination. Specifically, 28.6% of the samples were categorically identified as poor, 28.6% as very poor, and 42.9% as entirely unfit for consumption. These findings emphasize the urgent need for sustainable groundwater management practices to reduce the intensity of saline water intrusion, protect public health, and guarantee water security in that area. For these purpose, strong recommendations include the implementation of managed aquifer recharge (MAR), rainwater harvesting (RWH), and reverse osmosis (RO) techniques, along with enhanced governance and community engagement to tackle water quality challenges effectively.
The Sustainable Ocean Governance in the Bay of Bengal: An Analysis from Trans-boundary Aspects
To keep the planet sustainable for future generations, we have no alternative but to take effective measures to ensuresustainable ocean governance (SOG). To ensure sustainable ocean governancein the Bay of Bengal, joint efforts of the coast states;Bangladesh, India and Myanmar are needed. Therefore, this study focuses on developing a tri-party policy approach, including Bangladesh, India and Myanmar. SOG is a process of exploring and exploiting ocean resources in a way thatprotects the marine ecosystemas well as the rights of future generations. As the Bay of Bengal is mainly the sea basin of three coastal states, namely Bangladesh, India and Myanmar, it is neither possible nor desirable to protect the marine environment, avoiding the contribution of any single littoral state. Trans-boundary issue is a key factor inensuring SOG in this region because without developing any multinational regulatory and policy framework, no state will take the responsibilities of infringement of laws and regulations hampering the marine ecosystem. To solve this issue, states of this region have taken some initiatives, including the establishment of BIMSTEC, SAARC, IORAand ASEAN, but these organizations could not achieve the expected outcomedue to the lack of strong national and regional legal instruments. Therefore, this study focuses on the existing policy and regulatory framework under which the Bay of Bengal is currently governed. It also makes recommendations on howthe regulatory and legal framework be developed for this region following the proven initiatives taken by the different regions of the globe.
Read moreAnalyzing the Barriers to Multimodal Transport System Implementation: An ISM-MICMACBased Approach
Effective multimodal transportation is crucial for enhancing global supply chain efficiency and reducing costs. However, its implementation in developing countries, such as Bangladesh, faces significant challenges, which hinder international trade competitiveness. This study aims to identify, analyse, and prioritise key barriers to an integrated multimodal transport system in Bangladesh. Critical barriers were identified through a comprehensive review of relevant literature and consultations with domain experts. Subsequently, Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) and MICMAC analyses were employed to systematically ascertain their contextual relationships and interdependencies. Complex customs procedures and information technology inefficiencies are identified as the most unstable and highly influential barriers. These pivotal issues create a cascading effect, substantially hindering the development of efficient multimodal transport. Based on the ISM-MICMAC findings, this study presents a clear and actionable framework for prioritising strategic barrier interventions. This provides valuable insights for policymakers to formulate effective strategies, thereby enhancing national competitiveness in international trade. This research offers a novel, structured approach to understanding multimodal transport barriers in a developing country, contributing a practical framework for policy and enhanced trade competitiveness.
Read moreEstablishment of a Dedicated Maritime Export Processing Zone in Bangladesh: Proposing a Catalyst for Sustainable Development for Blue Economy
Bangladesh's export-led economy exhibits a high concentration in the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector, which now accounts for over 85% of total exports, creating structural vulnerabilities. The nation's extensive maritime territory presents a significant opportunity for diversification through a sustainable blue economy. However, the potential of high-value marine sectors like aquaculture, seaweed processing, and marine biotechnology remains unrealised. This paper proposes the establishment of a dedicated Maritime Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) as a necessary strategic intervention. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines recent sectoral data analysis with a review of international best practices, this study evaluates the rationale for an MEPZ. It discusses a conceptual model where the MEPZ acts as an integrated cluster to overcome existing barriers. Analysis identifies the Matarbari-Maheshkhali axis as the optimal location due to its proximity to a deep-sea port and existing infrastructure development. It concludes with a phased policy roadmap for the zone's establishment, arguing that an MEPZ is the most effective instrument for unlocking sustainable maritime growth and aligning Bangladesh with SDGs.
Read moreHeavy Metal Contamination, Nutrient Dynamics and Microplastic Pollution in Surface Sediments of Saint Martin’s Island and Teknaf Coast for Ecological Health Perspective
Saint Martin's Island (SMI) and Teknaf Coast (TC) are environmentally significant special areas in the coastal zone of Bangladesh, although "Coastal and Marine" ecology is experiencing a growing rate of environmental degradation due to unscrupulous human manipulations. Therefore, current study was carried out on TC and SMI by evaluating various sediment quality parameters viz., physicochemical properties, concentration of nutrients and heavy metals (HMs)/minerals along with abundance of microplastics (MPs) of sediments collected in March 2022. Salinity, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen, density, total dissolved solids and total organic carbon were within the standard limit except EC. Sediments of SMI exhibited lower nutrient concentrations compared to TC, with the following order: silicate > ammonia > nitrate > phosphate > nitrite. Average type of sediment was sand in SMI, and clay was also present among the sediments of TC, based on total porosity values. Various sediment quality indicators were developed considering the observed concentrations of HMs/minerals using Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer. Calculated Heavy Metal Pollution Index suggested that sediments were highly contaminated. Furthermore, sediments of Uttarpara (north side) from SMI and TC were highly contaminated based on observed Pollution Load Index as well as Geo-accumulation Index. Eventually, three types of MPs including foam, fragment and fiber were found in the sediments of both areas, and among the MPs (smaller than 1 mm), fibers were the most abundant and their presence was lower in SMI compared to TC. Thus, this research helps us to understand comparative sediment quality of SMI and TC for the sake of coastal ecology of Bangladesh.
Read moreAssessing the Dynamics of Water Quality and Their Implications on Bio-Chemical Health of River Ecosystem: A RS-Based Study of the Shitalakshya River, Dhaka
Urban rivers in quickly expanding megacities are frequently severely contaminated, but regular field-based monitoring is difficult because of financial and practical limitations. Using Landsat-8 OLI Level-2 surface reflectance data (2025) and a multi-criteria decision framework, this study assesses the spatial water quality conditions and related biochemical health of the Shitalakshya River in Dhaka. Chlorophyll-a, DO, pH, BOD, COD, TDS, TSS, TP, SPM, salinity, and NDWI were obtained from satellite imagery and incorporated into a River Ecosystem Health Index (REHI) using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). While the upstream (Purbachal–Demra) and downstream (Bondor–Mondogonj) segments exhibit Good–Excellent conditions over 30–40% of the river, the mid-reach section (Demra–Bondor) forms a continuous Poor–Very Poor REHI hotspot, covering roughly 45–55% of the river length. With COD up to 350 mg L⁻¹, BOD up to 13 mg L⁻¹, TSS up to 1000 mg L⁻¹, and DO continuously below 5 mg L⁻¹ in degraded zones, water quality indicators demonstrate severe organic and particulate stress. The predominance of untreated effluent inputs is confirmed by strong correlations between COD and BOD (R² = 0.958) and suspended loads (R² > 0.91). The satellite data indicators-turned-integrated tool for REHI seems to be an effective approach towards the monitoring of pollution hotspot areas through enaction of rules as well as the restoration of river ecosystems in the more data-poor urban river basins in Bangladesh
Read moreSpatial Distribution and Ecological Risk Assessment of Microplastics in the Inner-Shelf Sediments of Sonadia Island, Bangladesh
Microplastic (Mp) pollution has raised widespread concerns due to its prevalence and potential risks to humans and ecosystems. The present study aims at investigating the spatial distribution and ecological risk associated with microplastics (MPs) contamination in the inner-shelf sediments adjacent to the Sonadia Island, Bangladesh. A total of fifteen sediment samples from five locations were collected using Van Veen Grab sample, covering an area of about 15km2 near shelf area of the Island. The abundance, morphology and constituent polymer types of MPs were measured using light microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). The investigation reveals that the MPs concentration ranges from 28 MPs/100g (in sampling site S2) to 41 MPs/100g (in sampling site S5) with an average value of 35 MPs/100gm, where Fiber constitutes the dominant morpho-type(92.5%), followed by Film (2.7%), Foam (2.7%) and Fragments (2.1%). FT-IR spectrum show that polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are the constituent polymers of the recorded MPs. The average values of the Polymer Hazard Index (PHI) and Pollution Load Index (PLI) indicate that the shelf sediments in the study area face moderate to high ecological risk from microplastic contamination. Our findings provide baseline data on microplastic pollution in the inner-shelf sediments near Sonadia Island and offer preliminary quantitative assessments of ecological risk, enhancing understanding of the fate, transport and ecological impacts of microplastics.
Read moreRevolutionizing Maintenance Strategy of Bangladesh Marine Fleet through AI-BasedConfiguration Management Software: A Design, Validation, and Implementation Pathway
The maritime industry operates more than 80 percent of worldwide trade, but its aging fleets create growing difficulties for maintenance work. Emerging economies such as Bangladesh face challenges because their systems rely on time-based maintenance for equipment upkeep, leading to high costs and unpredictable work schedules. The research introduces the Integrated Digital Configuration Management System, which combines three maintenance methods Condition-Based Maintenance and Reliability-Centred Maintenance and Artificial Intelligence technology. The framework achieves validation through an empirical case study on marine turbocharger failures which uses the Crow-AMSAA reliability model to demonstrate a 33.9% reduction in annual maintenance costs and a 114% improvement in Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) and provides a detailed AI integration pathway for transitioning to predictive maintenance. The reliability analysis process revealed that the system performance changed from an unstable condition with a shape parameter of 0.910 to a stable state with a shape parameter of 0.660. The Monte Carlo simulation produced results with 95% confidence intervals which validated a 16-step implementation roadmap that enables sustainable fleet modernization.
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