The migration of people from rural and small towns to urban centres, driven by employment opportunities and improved living standards, places increasing pressure on infrastructure and raises concerns about sustainability, particularly in rapidly developing economies. In this context, land use changes and their implications for heat and pollution are examined in Kolkata. Between 2000 and 2020, a substantial expansion of built-up areas occurred, resulting in the loss of > 60 km2 of tree cover, 20-25 km2 of barren land and 18-20 km2 of agricultural land. These transformations led to marked seasonal variability in land surface temperature and the surface urban heat island effect (SUHI), with greater intensity during the pre-monsoon (March-May) and monsoon (June-September) seasons, followed by a significant positive trend in SUHI during 2011-2020, particularly in areas of intense land conversion (e.g. New Town, Rajarhat, Dankuni, Barasat and Madhyamgram). In the last decade, changes were predominantly concentrated along the urban periphery (e.g. Bhangar, Sonarpur, Maheshtala and Garia), where the conversion of vegetation and agricultural land into built-up areas corresponded with declining trends in urban greening and increased heat burden. However, selected planned areas exhibit increased greening (> 0.005/yr) alongside a decline in SUHI (-0.01 °C/yr), highlighting the mitigating role of vegetation. This is further corroborated by the urban aerosol pollution index (UAPI) with annual average values peaking over eastern and central Kolkata (e.g. New Town and Esplanade) due to intense vehicular and industrial emissions coupled with limited green cover, while comparatively lower values in its northern parts (e.g. Kalyani, Halisahar and Kanchrapara) owing to lower emissions and greater vegetation influence. These findings provide critical evidence that integrating green infrastructure into urban planning is essential for achieving sustainable and climate-resilient urban growth.
Air pollution is a well-established risk factor for physical illness and premature mortality, yet its relationship with suicide remains less well understood, particularly at the national level and over longer periods of exposure. Although previous studies have reported positive associations between particulate matter and suicide, evidence remains heterogeneous, and national longitudinal analyses are limited. This study examines the association between fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) concentrations and suicide mortality across local authorities in the UK between 2015 and 2023. Suicide data obtained from the UK Office for National Statistics were combined with modelled PM₂.₅ estimates from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, resulting in a balanced panel of more than 2200 local authority-year observations. Fixed-effects panel regression models were employed to account for unobserved time-invariant local characteristics and common year-specific shocks, while nonlinear specifications were estimated to examine potential threshold effects. The descriptive analysis revealed a negative cross-sectional association between PM₂.₅ concentrations and suicide rates. However, after controlling for local authority and year fixed effects, PM₂.₅ was positively and significantly associated with suicide mortality (β = 0.221, p = 0.007). The nonlinear model further identified a statistically significant U-shaped relationship, with an estimated turning point at approximately 7.8 µg/m3, suggesting that higher PM₂.₅ concentrations are associated with increased suicide mortality beyond this threshold. Although the nonlinear specification modestly improved model fit, the findings should be interpreted cautiously given the observational design and the absence of certain time-varying socioeconomic controls. Overall, the results suggest that the relationship between PM₂.₅ and suicide mortality is conditional rather than uniform, varying across pollution exposure levels and geographic contexts. While the findings provide national-scale evidence on the association between long-term PM₂.₅ exposure and suicide mortality in the UK, they should be interpreted as exploratory associations rather than evidence of causality. Future research incorporating additional socioeconomic variables, longer time series, and higher temporal resolution data is needed to further evaluate these relationships.
Air pollution comprises complex mixtures of chemically reactive pollutants, including PM₂․₅, soot, transition metals, aldehydes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to cardiopulmonary, neurological and dermatological injury, particularly in high-burden regions such as the Indo-Gangetic Plain. Conventional filtration systems efficiently remove particulate mass but often exhibit limited interaction with chemically reactive pollutant fractions within indoor and semi-enclosed microenvironments where human exposure is greatest. This review evaluates fungal biotechnology as a mechanistically relevant, exposure-centered complement to conventional air-pollution mitigation. Extracellular oxidoreductases may facilitate the oxidative transformation of aromatic VOCs and PAHs, while chitin-glucan-melanin cell-wall polymers contribute to immobilization of metal- and soot-associated toxicants. In parallel, porous mycelial architectures support particulate interception and extended pollutant-surface interaction under controlled conditions. Evidence from laboratory and pilot-scale studies of active mycofilters, immobilized-enzyme reactors, mycelium-based composites and hybrid fungal-biochar systems suggests potential for partial reduction of chemically reactive pollutant fractions under laboratory and pilot-scale conditions. Emerging translational approaches include mycelium-based composites, immobilized-enzyme systems and low-energy hybrid remediation platforms designed for localized exposure reduction. However, important limitations remain, including enzymatic instability, fouling, mixed-pollutant interference, biosafety concerns and the absence of standardized certification frameworks. Current evidence is further constrained by limited long-term field validation and substantial variability across experimental systems. Overall, fungal biotechnology represents a promising mechanistically informed approach for interacting with exposure-relevant pollutant chemistry that may not be fully addressed by purely capture-based filtration systems under certain indoor or chemically heterogeneous conditions. This review synthesizes mechanistic fungal biology, engineered remediation systems and exposure-centered air-quality perspectives relevant to emerging fungal air-remediation technologies.
This study proposes an interpretable machine learning framework for predicting effluent quality in the Lake Manzala Hybrid Constructed Wetlands (HCWs), Egypt, with specific emphasis on biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Accurate prediction of BOD and COD is essential for evaluating organic matter removal, supporting wastewater reuse, and improving operational decision-making in constructed wetland systems under water-scarcity conditions. The study uses real monitoring data collected from the Lake Manzala HCWs under two hydraulic loading regimes: 50 m3/day and 83.3 m3/day. Water quality measurements were obtained from the inlet, intermediate sampling points, and outlet of the wetland flow path, while outlet BOD and COD concentrations were used as the target variables. A hybrid linear regression-gradient boosting (LR-GB) model was developed by first capturing the dominant linear relationships using linear regression (LR) and then modeling the remaining nonlinear residual patterns using gradient boosting (GB). The proposed LR-GB model was compared with several conventional regression models, including random forest (RF), K-nearest neighbors (KNN), decision tree (DT), Bayesian ridge regression (BR), and support vector regressor (SVR), using mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE), median absolute error (MedAE), root mean squared error (RMSE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) as evaluation metrics. The results demonstrate that the proposed LR-GB framework achieved the lowest prediction errors across the investigated BOD and COD cases. For COD prediction, the proposed model achieved MAPE values of 3.87% and 3.46% under the 50 m3/day and 83.3 m3/day discharge conditions, respectively, outperforming all benchmark models. These findings confirm that the LR-GB framework can effectively combine interpretability and nonlinear predictive capability for effluent quality modeling. The developed model provides a practical decision-support tool for wastewater treatment operators and water-resource managers, contributing to improved effluent quality control, safe wastewater reuse, and sustainable water management in arid and semi-arid regions.
The manufacturing process of normal concrete is highly responsible for producing carbon dioxide, resulting in a larger carbon footprint, thus leading to the need for alternative materials to be used in the construction industry. The current research focuses on analyzing the impact and effect of the addition of fly ash (FA) and rice husk ash (RHA) as partial substitution of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in high-performance self-compacting concrete (SCC). The study evaluates the fresh properties (slump flow, L-box, and V-funnel), mechanical properties (compressive, split tensile, and flexural strength), and durability properties (water absorption, acid, sulfate, and saline water resistance). A Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based Box-Behnken design was employed to analyze the influence of OPC, FA, and RHA proportions and to optimize mix performance. According to the findings, the most efficient ternary combination (OPC 75%, FA 15%, and RHA 10%) obtained better performance with compressive strength of 52.6 MPa, split tensile strength of 4.7 MPa, and flexural strength of 6.1 MPa at 90 days. Additionally, from Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), there was a decrease in carbon dioxide emissions by 119.25 kg/m3, as well as reductions in energy, water use in comparison to control mix of SCC. The use of ternary blend with the optimized combination resulted in a cost reduction of 9.3%compared to the control mix. These results indicate the substantial possibilities of FA-RHA composite SCC in promoting sustainability and sustainable development, thus providing a solution to support circular economy approaches and minimize environmental impacts in contemporary construction projects.
Wetland soils play a crucial role in global methane (CH4) cycling, yet the influence of soil depth and different vegetation types on microbial functional gene abundance, enzyme activities, and potential CH4 production remains poorly understood in the inter-tidal coastal areas. The present study investigated potential CH4 production across different vegetation types (barren, halophyte, and mangrove) at two coastal sites in Gujarat (Diu and Sartanpar), India. This study further highlights the relationships between soil characteristics, enzyme activities (β-glucosidase, alkaline phosphatase, and sulfatase), and functional gene abundance (pmoA, mcrA, and dsrA) to understand their role in CH4 dynamics. Our findings revealed that the CH4 production was significantly higher in Diu as compared to Sartanpar (2862 and 1125.1 µg C kg-1 soil day-1 respectively). Mangrove soils showed the highest enzymatic activities and CH4 production among all vegetation at 60-80 cm of depth (2544.54 µg C kg-1 soil day-1). The pmoA gene abundance slightly declined with depth, whereas the mcrA gene remained constant throughout the soil profile at both sites. The mcrA gene showed a positive and significant correlation with soil moisture (r = 0.82), OC (r = 0.57), NH4+ (r = 0.83), K+ (r = 0.32), P (r = 0.21), Na+ (r = 0.36), and SO42- (r = 0.34) while negatively with pH (r = - 0.50) and NO3- (r = - 0.52). Higher pmoA/mcrA and dsrA/mcrA ratios were linked with lower CH4 production, suggesting a regulatory role of CH4 oxidation and sulfate reduction during CH4 production. Overall, our study highlights the interplay between soil properties, microbial functional genes, and enzyme activities in regulating CH4 across different vegetation types and soil depths in Indian intertidal coastal soils, an ecosystem which is underrepresented. This study provides new insights into how vegetation-driven microenvironments and depth-dependent microbial processes together shape CH₄ cycling in coastal wetlands.
This study evaluated whether remediation at the Ringwood Mines/Landfill Superfund site in New Jersey reduced soil heavy metal exposure and associated health risks for the Ramapough Lunaape Turtle Clan, a Native American community whose traditional ties to the local land may increase exposure to legacy pollution. Soil heavy metal concentrations were measured in frequently visited areas in and around the Ringwood Superfund site, and evaluated against background levels using the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) and ecological risk index (Er). Igeo results signaled anthropogenic enrichment of antimony, arsenic, cadmium, and lead, with cadmium showing Er values denoting very high ecological risks. Receptor models (Positive Matrix Factorization [PMF] and UNMIX) identified source profiles consistent with iron mine tailings (arsenic, cobalt, iron, and vanadium) and automotive waste (cadmium, chromium, lead, and nickel), linking observed contamination to the sources responsible for the site's Superfund designation. Monte Carlo simulations of the hazard index (HI) and total cancer risk (TCR) indicated potential non-cancer and cancer risks for children and adults, primarily through soil ingestion, dermal contact, and game meat consumption-an oft-overlooked pathway in conventional risk assessments. Despite claims that the site is under control for human exposure, soil contamination from legacy sources persisted at levels associated with excess health risks. Findings from this study highlighted potential deficiencies in current remediation strategies in protecting the health of Native American communities with cultural and subsistence ties to their land, and contributed evidence that can inform future studies in similar settings.
The rapid expansion of rice processing mills in agriculturally rich regions, such as Khajanagar, Kushtia, has resulted in elevated concentrations of particulate matter (PM), posing serious environmental and public health risks. The close proximity of rice mills to residential areas necessitates evaluating particulate matter dispersion to assess neighbourhood-level health risks. This study examines the spatial distribution, dispersion behaviour, and health impacts of PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ across industrial and adjacent residential zones. A total of 69 sampling points were monitored using optical particle counters (OPCs) at 0-100 m (industrial) and 101-300 m (residential) distances, along with meteorological observations. PM₂.₅ concentrations in industrial areas exceeded all regulatory limits in Bangladesh, the WHO, and the U.S. EPA, while PM₁₀ exceeded WHO standards only within industrial zones; both fractions exceeded all benchmarks in residential areas. The Kruskal-Wallis test (p < 0.05) confirmed significant interzonal variation. Spatial mapping identified PM hotspots in the western and eastern industrial belts and the western residential cluster, providing empirical evidence of localized emission intensity and downwind accumulation driven by mill density and prevailing wind patterns. PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ were highly correlated, though their relationships with humidity and temperature were weak. Gaussian plume modelling indicated that PM₁₀ dispersed and deposited over greater distances than PM₂.₅ due to its size-dependent transport under prevailing winds, increasing exposure in residential zones. AirQ⁺ health risk analysis revealed that PM₂.₅ exposure contributed to 39.78% of ALRI-related mortality in children under five, while in adults (≥ 30 years), it accounted for 48.01% of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), 56.25% of Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD), and 65.05% of stroke deaths. PM₁₀ posed additional risks for IHD and lung cancer, with 34.16% of lung cancer mortality linked to PM₂.₅ exposure. By integrating spatial monitoring, dispersion modelling, and health risk assessment, this study identifies high-risk micro-environments and underscores the need for stricter emission control in rice-processing regions.
The growing textile waste from fast fashion and high consumption has increased the search for ways to reduce landfill disposal and promote circular material flows. This review analyzes the state of the art of cementitious composites reinforced with textile waste, encompassing different matrices, fiber formats, and processing strategies, as well as evaluating the mechanical, physical, and environmental parameters reported in the literature. A search in the Scopus and Web of Science databases from 2015 to February 2026 resulted in 23 articles after screening. The studies indicate an expressive increase in publications from 2021 onward, with Spain and Portugal emerging as the main contributors. Fiber incorporation generally reduces compressive strength (CS) due to increased porosity and the relatively weak fiber-matrix interface. Conversely, consistent improvements are observed in flexural strength (FS), toughness, post-cracking capacity, and thermal performance, particularly in laminated composites. Strategies such as the use of supplementary materials, fiber pre-treatments, and microstructural optimization effectively mitigate strength loss and improve bonding and durability. Environmental assessments highlight potential CO2 reductions and contributions to the circular economy. Despite these advances, important gaps remain, including the need for long-term durability studies, full-scale evaluations, and comprehensive life cycle assessments. Overall, findings indicate a promising field, although further advances are still required to expand its applications in the construction sector.
Lichens are among the most widely used biological indicators of environmental quality because they integrate atmospheric pollutants and respond sensitively to environmental change. However, recent advances in lichen biology have expanded biomonitoring beyond traditional measures of pollutant accumulation, physiological injury, and community composition, creating the need for an updated synthesis. This review integrates current evidence on the biological basis, response mechanisms, environmental applications, and emerging frontiers of lichen biomonitoring. Classical approaches have been successfully applied to monitor air pollution, heavy metals, nitrogen deposition, and other environmental stressors, while recent studies demonstrate that symbiotic interactions and lichen-associated microbiomes provide additional, potentially earlier indicators of ecosystem disturbance. Building on this evidence, we propose a multi-level framework integrating six complementary biological domains: pollutant accumulation, physiological responses, community dynamics, functional traits, symbiotic interactions, and microbiome dynamics. This framework links established and emerging response pathways into a unified biomonitoring concept while acknowledging remaining challenges, including environmental variability, species-specific responses, methodological standardization, and geographic bias. Integrating conventional and emerging biological endpoints provides a more comprehensive and mechanistic foundation for lichen biomonitoring in a rapidly changing environment.
Heavy metal contamination commonly occurs as a mixture of multiple toxic metals, and plant reactions to mixed metal stress are still not completely understood. This study evaluated the heavy metal and phytoextraction efficiency of potential hyperaccumulator Alternanthera ficoidea put in mixed chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and cadmium (Cd) under controlled polyhouse conditions. The experiment lasted 60 days, and plants were exposed to different Cr-Ni-Cd combinations during the process, growth, biomass, metal accumulation, primary metabolites, non-enzymatic antioxidants and antioxidant enzyme activities were all quantified. The strong influence on the growth at high doses was clearly indicated by the significant reduction of both shoot and root lengths and the decrease of the fresh and dry biomass as the concentrations of the ternary metals increased. On the other hand, A. ficoidea did accumulate metals to a large extent, with bioaccumulation and translocation factors being > 1, which proved that A. ficoidea was quite effective in taking up metals from the growth medium and in transporting them to the above-ground parts. Marked increases in proline, total phenolics and flavonoids, together with enhanced DPPH radical scavenging, metal chelating capacity and reducing power, were all consequences of metal stress, while the contents of protein, carbohydrate and chlorophyll diminished. The superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were very much increased, indicating that the metal-induced oxidative stress had been met by an even stronger antioxidant defence; thus, there was an activation of the antioxidant defence. The enhanced antioxidant defence system and efficient metal accumulation indicate that A. ficoidea mitigates metal-induced oxidative stress through coordinated physiological and biochemical adaptations. Therefore, the study has come to the conclusion that A. ficoidea is a plant that embodies the combination of high multi-metal accumulation together with robust physiological and biochemical tolerance; therefore, its potential use as a candidate species for the reclamation of Cr-Ni-Cd co-contaminated environments is firmly supported.
This study examines irrigation development and sustainable water management in Rwanda under the 2010 and 2020 National Irrigation Master Plans. Using national datasets, QGIS spatial analysis, and CROPWAT 8.0 modelling for maize at the Mpanga Hillside Irrigation Scheme, we evaluated irrigation expansion (2010-2024), technology adoption, and irrigation water demand projections to 2050. By 2024, the total irrigated area reached 72,913 ha, merely 14.5% of the national irrigable potential of 501,509 ha, with around 70% of equipped areas using low-efficiency traditional systems (50-60% water use efficiency). Marshland, hillside, and small-scale irrigation schemes showed uneven growth, heavily constrained by funding shortages, COVID-19 impacts, and inadequate infrastructure maintenance. Eastern catchments, including Muvumba, Upper Akagera, and Lower Akagera, face acute water stress, with irrigation demand projected to surge toward renewable water limits by 2035-2050. The peak irrigation requirement for maize at Mpanga was 230.8 mm per decade. Core constraints include financial limitations, inefficient technologies, and spatial mismatches between water demand and supply. We recommend scaling water-saving technologies, strengthening water user associations, tiered water pricing, and smart precision irrigation. Future research should explore treated urban wastewater reuse to support climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural development in Rwanda.
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have emerged as ubiquitous environmental contaminants, with increasing evidence of human exposure and growing concern regarding their potential health impacts. Recent investigations have documented their presence in multiple human biological matrices. This systematic review aimed to comprehensively synthesize current evidence on the occurrence, physical and chemical characteristics, and biodistribution of MPs and NPs in human tissues and body fluids; critically evaluate the analytical techniques used for their detection; and identify key gaps in existing knowledge. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA-P guidelines. Five major scientific databases, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar, were systematically searched for peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025 that reported direct detection of MPs or NPs in human biological samples. Following rigorous screening and eligibility assessment, 25 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. The reviewed evidence confirmed widespread detection of MPs and NPs across diverse human matrices, including excretory products, respiratory secretions, systemic circulation, vascular tissues, major organs, and placental tissue, underscoring their ability to translocate within the human body. Considerable variability was observed in reported particle size, shape, polymer type, and concentration, largely reflecting methodological heterogeneity and differences in environmental exposure contexts. Overall, this review underscores substantial knowledge gaps regarding human biodistribution patterns, emphasizing the urgent need for standardization.
Due to their ecotoxicological potential toward aquatic biota, the escalating occurrence of pharmaceutical residues in aquatic ecosystems constitutes a critical global environmental issue. The research examined variations in the behavioural, haematological, biochemical, oxidative stress and morphometric indices of the African catfish, Clarias gariepinus juveniles, subjected to sub-lethal doses (3.80, 5.99, 11.38, and 22.60 mg/L) of pentoxifylline and dechlorinated carbon-filtered water (control) for 21 days, and a post-treatment duration of 7 days. Toxicity and stress- induced responses including alterations in behaviour, were documented on day 1, 7, 14, last day of exposure (day 21), and at the end of the 7 days outside the drug. Blood sample for the haematological and plasma biochemical indices, and liver for oxidative stress and morphometric indices, were also taken at the same intervals. Rapid opercula movement, excess mucus secretion, reduced feeding, and skin discoloration, increased with concentration, while corkscrew swimming, jumping and swimming rate, declined in the exposed fish. Behavioural toxicity index (BTI) increased significantly in a dose and duration dependent pattern from the fish exposure to pentoxifylline. There was a dose and duration-influenced significant fall in the packed cell volume, haemoglobin, red blood cell count, and mean corpuscular volume, while the opposite was registered for the white blood cells count, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration in the exposed fish. Of the differential leucocyte parameters sampled, values were only significant for the neutrophil and lymphocyte. The neutrophil increased, while the lymphocytes decreased significantly. A significant increase was registered in the aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase activities. Conversely, a reduction was registered in the protein and glucose levels in the exposed fish. A significant reduction in the oxidative stress biomarkers, liver catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and induction in the glutathione and malondialdehyde levels, were reported in the exposed fish, in contrast to the control. The condition factor of the exposed fish, exhibited no significant difference from those of the control. On the contrary, the hepatosomatic index increased significantly, in a manner influenced by the dose of the drug and duration of the treatment, in comparison to the control. The effects of the drug abated after the 7 days- post treatment duration. The findings of this research imply that pentoxifylline is harmful to fish.
Enhanced weathering (EW) of serpentinized peridotites is being investigated as a potential approach for ex situ CO₂ sequestration in both coastal and open-ocean environments. Previous studies on serpentine minerals have provided important insights into their geochemical reactivity, highlighting their preferential dissolution behavior and enhanced weathering potential under natural conditions. This study examines the CO₂ sequestration potential of lizardite-rich sand and evaluates the formation of hydrated and carbonated mineral phases under varying CO₂ conditions. Mineralogical analyses indicate the presence of aragonite, magnesite, and other secondary minerals associated with CO₂ uptake, suggesting successful carbonation. Changes in pH and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) point to differing geochemical dynamics under ambient and elevated CO₂ conditions, with acidification observed in both scenarios. While the findings support the feasibility of using lizardite-rich materials for EW-based carbon sequestration, the associated pH decline raises concern about potential ocean acidification. However, incorporating lime derived from industrial marble waste into sand presents a promising approach to mitigate both climate change and ocean acidification. This mixed sand offers dual environmental benefits by facilitating carbon mineralization and promoting the sustainable utilization of industrial by-products, thereby contributing to climate resilience and environmental sustainability. The results underscore the need for careful selection of rock types and operational conditions to ensure both carbon removal efficacy and environmental compatibility. Ongoing work aims to identify optimal materials for sustainable deployment in marine environments.
Water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes) is one of the most aggressive aquatic weeds globally, posing ecological, economic, and social threats to freshwater ecosystems. In response to its widespread proliferation, numerous control strategies have been developed and tested across different regions. This systematic review evaluates global efforts to manage water hyacinth, with a particular focus on the effectiveness, sustainability, and practical applicability of biological, chemical, physical, and integrated control methods. A total of 141 peer-reviewed articles and case studies published between 1979 and 2024 were analyzed using structured keyword searches across academic databases. The review found that biological control is the most widely employed strategy (56.8%), particularly in Africa, which accounted for more than half of the global research efforts on water hyacinth management. Among chemical methods, herbicides such as 2,4-D and glyphosate have demonstrated high efficacy but raise concerns regarding environmental and socioeconomic impacts. Physical processes, while safe, are labor-intensive and less feasible on larger scales. Integrated approaches, which combine multiple strategies, emerged as the most sustainable and context-sensitive option. Notably, the potential for water hyacinth utilization, especially in pollution control (27.08%), bioenergy, composting, and handicrafts, offers an additional pathway for sustainable management. This review emphasizes the importance of integrated and sustainable approaches, encouraging future efforts to focus on technological innovations and practical utilization.
Advancing air pollution forecasting: a review of physical, statistical, and machine learning methods provides a timely and comprehensive overview of deterministic, statistical, machine learning (ML), and hybrid approaches in air quality modeling. The review effectively summarizes recent developments and highlights emerging trends, such as physics-informed machine learning and integrated forecasting systems. However, several critical operational challenges require further discussion. These include model transferability across data-sparse regions, uncertainty quantification, the interpretability of deep learning architectures, operational robustness, and data quality constraints. Recent advancements in adaptive mesh refinement, AI-assisted chemical transport models, and hybrid deep learning frameworks further underscore the need for explainable, multi-scale, and impact-oriented systems. We argue that future air quality forecasting must move beyond predictive accuracy alone to increasingly integrate atmospheric chemistry, high-resolution observations, rigorous uncertainty analysis, and public health frameworks. Hybrid systems that couple physical interpretability with artificial intelligence represent the most promising frontier for next-generation operational workflows.
The leather industry, a cornerstone of the global economy, extensively employs synthetic dyes-particularly azo dyes-to impart vibrant colours and desirable aesthetic finishes to leather products. Despite their functional benefits, these dyes raise serious environmental and health concerns. Azo dyes can degrade into toxic and potentially carcinogenic amines and exhibit poor biodegradability. During leather dyeing operations, an estimated 30-35% of the applied dyes remain unbound to the substrate, leading to their discharge in effluents, contributing significantly to water pollution. Growing awareness of these issues has spurred interest in sustainable alternatives, particularly pigments derived from biological sources. Natural pigments offer an eco-friendly solution with advantages such as biodegradability, low toxicity, renewable substance, and less harmful than conventional dyes. Furthermore, their eco-friendly features like waste valorization potential, biocompatibility, antimicrobial activity, and energy-efficient production render them important in sustainable industrial applications. However, challenges related to pigment stability, standardization, extraction efficiency, and large-scale industrial implementation continue to limit their commercial adoption. This review critically examines the environmental implications of synthetic dye usage during leather making and evaluates the emerging role, current limitations, and future prospects of microbial and plant-derived pigments as sustainable alternatives aligned with circular economy principles and cleaner production standards.
Application of constructed wetland (CW) treatment for metal influenced waters necessitates effective methods for assessing macrophyte health and function. Using a 40 days trial, this study assessed Phragmites australis and Typha latifolia growth under varying Zn concentrations (Control, 0.5, 7, and 14 mg/L) using portable chlorophyll content and PAM fluorescence (Y(II), Fv/Fm,) metres along with standard physiological parameters and determining shoot Zn content. Chlorophyll content was consistent over time for macrophytes grown under low Zn concentrations (Control and 0.5 mg/L Zn) but decreases were recorded for P. australis at ≥ 7 mg/L and T. latifolia at 14 mg/L Zn. Increased Zn content resulted in decreased macrophyte growth measured by biomass and shoot length, photosynthetic yield (Y(II), Fv/Fm,) and chlorophyll content and increased Zn shoot concentrations. Results indicated that T. latifolia was more tolerant to Zn stress than P. australis, displaying symptoms at 14 mg/L Zn compared to P. australis at 7 mg/L. Both chlorophyll content and PAM fluorescence were strongly associated with biomass, shoot development and Zn concentration in P. australis, with declining chlorophyll content serving as an early warning system for poor plant performance at high Zn levels. Similar correlation associations were observed for T. latifolia, but not to same extent as for P. australis. Findings suggest that portable field meters indicate Zn-induced stress in macrophytes and are a useful tool for management of metal-enriched aquatic environments.
The valorization of plastic waste is attracting increasing interest due to the scarcity of fossil resources and environmental concerns. In Algeria, 60 to 80% of plastic waste, primarily polystyrene from food packaging, is discarded into the environment, with its low profitability limiting its recycling. In this context, this study aims to propose a sustainable solution for the management and valorization of this waste through its integration into construction materials. It examines the co-valorization of polyethylene and polystyrene as partial substitutes for natural fine aggregates in mortars, using numerical optimization based on the response surface method. Formulations containing 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% polymers were studied in terms of their physical and mechanical properties. The results show that incorporating plastic increases water absorption and porosity, while reducing fresh and dry densities, with more pronounced effects at high substitution rates, particularly for combined mixtures. Compressive and flexural strengths decrease with increasing plastic content, especially at 30%, but tend to stabilize after 28 days. Optimal performance is achieved with a formulation containing 20% polyethylene and 10% polystyrene. Furthermore, some optimized combinations achieve satisfactory mechanical performance, with coefficients of determination (R2) close to 1. This study is of direct interest to the fields of civil engineering and sustainable construction, particularly for the production of lightweight, non-structural, or insulating mortars. It contributes to reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste and preserving natural resources, while also offering potential applications in secondary building components and eco-friendly solutions. However, further adjustments to the formulations are still needed to ensure an optimal compromise between durability and mechanical performance.