Environmental Science and Disaster Management

Promethi Das Deep

PhD Student (Educational leadership), Sam Houston State University, USA

Thesis Title: The Factors Affecting Substance Use and the Most Effective Mental Health Interventions in Adolescents and Young Adults

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Fahmida Rashid

MPH student (Environmental Health), Sam Houston State University, USA

Thesis Title: Epidemiological Evidence on the Associations of Metal Exposure with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Among Elderly Women

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Braedon Smith

MPH student (Environmental Health), Sam Houston State University, USA

Thesis Title: N/A

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Ambreen Khan

Undergraduate student (Public Health Major), Sam Houston State University, USA

Thesis Title: N/A

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Dean Stephens

Undergraduate student (Public Health Major), Sam Houston State University, USA

Thesis Title: Prenatal Metal Exposure and Early Neurodevelopmental Risks

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Rabeya Binta Mahbub

Looking for PhD

Thesis Title: Assessment of Microplastics Contamination in Cooking Oil in Noakhali, Bangladesh: Emerging Risks for Human Health

Overview: This study presents a systematic assessment of microplastic contamination in edible oils, together with an evaluation of public perception and behavioral responses in Noakhali, Bangladesh. The findings confirm the presence of microplastics in both soybean and mustard oils, with comparatively higher concentrations and greater structural degradation observed in soybean oil samples. A total of 100 respondents participated in a structured survey, and selected oil samples were analyzed using standard laboratory procedures and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Survey findings revealed that soybean oil was the most commonly used cooking oil (78%), predominantly purchased in plastic bottles (80%). Awareness of MPs was moderate, with 38% of respondents having no prior knowledge, while social media served as the primary information source. Laboratory analysis confirmed MPs in all oil samples, with higher mean concentrations in soybean oil (31,787.50 MPs/L) compared to mustard oil (27,600.00 MPs/L). Fibers and fragments were dominant in soybean oil, whereas beads and pellets were more prominent in mustard oil. Smaller particles (<300 µm) constituted the majority in both oil types, and transparent and black particles accounted for over 90% of total MPs. SEM analysis indicated greater surface degradation in soybean oil MPs. Exposure assessment showed higher estimated intake among children than adults, with soybean oil contributing more to overall MPs ingestion. Despite notable concern regarding health risks, preventive behaviors were limited. The study highlights edible oil as a potential pathway for MPs exposure and emphasizes the need for improved regulation, safer packaging practices, and targeted public awareness initiatives in Bangladesh.

MD. BAYEZID AL ZOBAYER FAHAD

Masters Student

Thesis Title: Industrial Land Use and Its Impact on Land Surface Temperature and Urban Heat Island Formation in Narayanganj Sadar and Noakhali Sadar, Bangladesh (2000–2025)

Overview: Rapid industrial expansion in urban and peri-urban areas of Bangladesh has altered land surface characteristics and contributed to localized warming, a phenomenon commonly known as the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect. This study investigates the relationship between industrial land use, Land Surface Temperature (LST), and UHI intensity in two upazilas: Narayanganj Sadar, an established industrial hub since the early to mid-twentieth century, and Noakhali Sadar, a largely non-industrial coastal upazila, over the period 2000-2025. Landsat 7 ETM+ and Landsat 8/9 OLI-TIRS imagery were used to derive Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) classifications, LST, and standardized UHI intensity indices for both study areas. Results show that Narayanganj Sadar's share of industrial land has risen sharply from 1.1% to 14.6% of the total area between 2000 and 2025, while its mean LST has risen from 28.98°C to 38.33°C, an increase of 9.35°C. Noakhali Sadar, where Industrial land remained marginal (0% to 1.2%), recorded a comparatively smaller mean LST rise of 4.31°C (28.06°C to 32.37°C) over the same period. Both areas also recorded a rise in mean NDVI, indicating that surface warming occurred alongside, rather than solely at the expense of, vegetation cover. These findings demonstrate a measurable association between industrial expansion and elevated surface temperatures, with Narayanganj showing a much steeper thermal rise. The findings underscore the need for heat-mitigation planning in rapidly industrializing zones and provide a baseline for future urban thermal management in Bangladesh.

Nabila Jannat Meem

Masters Student

Thesis Title: Assessment of Heavy Metal Content in Paper-Based Food Packaging and Migration into Food

Overview: The use of paper-based packaging for food products is one of the popular methods to replace plastics, but the problem is that the recycled papers contain heavy metals that come from printing ink, pigments, coatings, and adhesives that may pose contamination in food products. This research has been carried out to identify the presence and migration of chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd) and zinc (Zn) from the paper trays, corrugated boxes and brown paper bags to samosa, pizza and jhalmuri obtained from Maijdee, Noakhali, Bangladesh. The concentrations of heavy metals have been analyzed by using the method of Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The heavy metals measured in the packaging materials studied were found to be within the regulatory limits set by the respective regulatory bodies. However, some samples were recorded beyond the strict guideline values. The packaged foods have been compared with glass controls through a paired two-tailed t-test and non-carcinogenic risk assessments have been carried out. While significant differences were found for some heavy metals, only the migration of Cr from pizza (0.0591 vs. 0.0191 mg/kg) and Cd from jhalmuri (0.0309 vs. 0.0276 mg/kg) could be justified. The individual non-carcinogenic risk remained acceptable; however, children had a higher cumulative risk than adults, necessitating ongoing monitoring, the use of certified food packaging materials, improvements in the production control process, and the development of standards for food packaging materials.

Habibullah Rakib

Masters Student

Thesis Title: Spatiotemporal Assessment of Land Cover Transformation and Interrelationship among Vegetation, Surface Water, and Land Surface Temperature in Chattogram District, Bangladesh: A GIS and Remote Sensing Approach

Overview: Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) change is one of the most significant anthropogenic modifications of the Earth's surface, fundamentally altering ecosystem structure and climatic patterns. This study assessed the spatiotemporal transformation of land cover and its relationships with vegetation, surface water, and land surface temperature in Chattogram District, Bangladesh, using Landsat 8 and 9 imagery from 2015, 2020, and 2025. The methodology integrated supervised LULC classification, NDVI, NDWI, and LST retrieval using Landsat Collection 2 Level-2 Surface Temperature band (ST_B10), followed by stratified random sampling and Pearson correlation analysis. Results revealed that LULC composition remained broadly stable at the aggregate level (Waterbody ≈40%, Vegetation ≈20%, Settlement ≈20%, Bareland ≈20%), yet settlement showed a sustained net increase with visible densification of the built-up core. Mean LST rose sharply from 23.64°C in 2020 to 28.72°C in 2025, with increasing spatial heterogeneity indicating an intensifying urban heat island effect. NDVI was significantly and negatively correlated with LST in all years (r = - 0.519 to -0.581, p < 0.001), confirming a robust vegetation-cooling effect, while NDWI showed a significant positive correlation with LST (r = 0.552 to 0.584, p < 0.001), reflecting surface moisture conditions rather than open water cooling. These findings demonstrate that vegetation cover exerts a consistent and strengthening cooling influence on land Surface temperature, while continued settlement consolidation is associated with rising and increasingly variable thermal conditions in this rapidly growing coastal district. The study provides quantitative, locally grounded evidence supporting vegetation conservation and green infrastructure as practical strategies for moderating urban heat in Chattogram District.

Sumonta Singha

Masters Student

Thesis Title: Comparative Assessment of Groundwater Quality and Human Health Risk in the Coastal Region of Noakhali and the Hilly Region of Sreemangal, Bangladesh

Overview: Groundwater constitutes the principal source of drinking water for the majority of the population in Bangladesh. However, its quality varies markedly across the country’s contrasting hydrogeological settings. This study conducted a comparative assessment of groundwater quality and associated human health risk in two physiographically distinct regions of Bangladesh: the coastal district of Noakhali and the hilly upazila of Sreemangal. A total of sixty groundwater samples (thirty from each region) were collected from tubewells and analyzed for thirteen physicochemical and microbiological parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, hardness, salinity, chloride, nitrate, phosphate, and total and fecal coliform, following APHA (2017) standard procedures. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, Pearson correlation, and linear regression were used to characterize and compare the two datasets, while drinking-water suitability was evaluated using the Weighted Arithmetic Water Quality Index (WQI) and non-carcinogenic human health risk was assessed via nitrate Chronic Daily Intake (CDI) and Hazard Quotient (HQ) following USEPA methodology. Results showed that groundwater in Noakhali was significantly more mineralized than in Sreemangal, with salinity, EC, TDS, chloride, hardness, and alkalinity all significantly higher in the coastal aquifer (p < 0.05), reflecting seawater intrusion, whereas nitrate, phosphate, and dissolved oxygen did not differ significantly between regions. Mean TDS in Noakhali (1269.23 mg/L) exceeded WHO and Bangladesh ECR permissible limits, and WQI classification indicated that 13.3% of coastal samples were classified as unsuitable for drinking (WQI > 300), in contrast 0.00% of hilly samples falling in the comparatively better Unsuitable for drinking category. Coastal samples were unsuitable for drinking (WQI > 300), compared to hilly samples falling in the comparatively better “Poor” category and none classified as unsuitable. Both regions exceeded the zero-tolerance WHO/ECR standard for total and fecal coliform, indicating widespread microbial contamination independent of region. Nitrate-based Hazard Quotients remained well below the USEPA safety threshold of 1 in both regions (mean HQ 0.056–0.062), indicating no appreciable non-carcinogenic health risk from nitrate exposure at current concentrations. The findings confirm that geogenic/saline-intrusion processes and sanitation-related microbial contamination represent two distinct threats to groundwater quality in Bangladesh, requiring region-specific and combined mitigation strategies for coastal and hilly aquifers, respectively.

Fujail Hossain

Thesis Title: Current Status and Public Perception on Household Solid Waste Management in Comilla City, Bangladesh

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Md. Kowsar Ahmed

Thesis Title: Evaluation of the impacts of salinity on agriculture, fisheries and human health of suborno char upazila, Noakhali

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Nazmul Hossain

Thesis Title: Causes and Effects of Water Logging in Southern Bangladesh: A Case Study in Noakhali Town

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Tanjila Alam Prosun

Thesis Title: Drinking Water Quality Assessment from Ground Water Sources in Noakhali, Bangladesh

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Fozia Momotaz

Thesis Title: An investigation of the industrial effluents and ETP facilities of the Noakhali industrial area

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Mohammad Tanjim Uddin

Thesis Title: Assessment of the Quantity and Rate of Water Pollution in Major Rivers in Bangladesh for the Last 10 Years

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