Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) have become one of the drivers of environmental deterioration and occupational hazards, and the issue requires competent and clever adsorption methods for their elimination. This study proposes a comprehensive experimental, computational, and IoT-based system that maximizes VOCs adsorption by activated carbon. A packed bed adsorption column was constructed and equipped with two MQ-138 and DHT22 sensors, which could be directly tracked in real time using a NodeMCU-ThingSpeak dashboard. During the experiments, the efficiency of VOC removal was lower at higher inlet concentrations (92.3% to 76.1% at 100 ppm to 300 ppm, respectively) and higher at the optimized flow rate (74.5% - 89.8% at 3.0 to 1.5 L.min-1, respectively). The efficiency was lower at high relative humidity because of competitive adsorption, and higher bed temperatures (up to 45°C) slightly prolonged the breakthrough time. The model used was a 4-8-1 ANN (Artificial Neural Network) whose training was carried out using the LevenbergMarquardt algorithm, which had a high predictive accuracy (R2 =0.987, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) =1.82), and the experimental value was close to the computed values across a range of inputs. The 3D surface mapping of the ANN model exhibited an ideal area of interaction between the VOC concentration and flow rate. In addition, all IoT delays were less than 1.5 s, and the sensor offset was less than ±5 ppm and ±0.5°C, thus confirming the readiness of the system deployment. These outcomes confirm that it is possible to implement intelligent, responsive VOC mitigation tools that are informed by machine learning and integrated with IoT to manage air quality in the industry.
Turbidity, an optical measure of water clarity influenced by suspended sediments and organic matter, is a critical indicator of freshwater quality. Satellite remote sensing offers a practical means of monitoring turbidity over space and time by capturing water-leaving reflectance across spectral bands. This study explores the spatiotemporal retrieval of turbidity in the Upper Lake, Bhopal, an important urban freshwater body and Ramsar site in India, using Landsat-8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) Surface Reflectance (SR) data from 2013 to 2022. Field-based in-situ turbidity data collected during the pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons of 2022 were used to calibrate and validate several empirical models based on different band combinations. The best empirical models used the band ratio of the blue and red bands (Band-2 and Band-4), yielding a high agreement with field data (R² = 0.89) with a validation RMSE of 4.04 NTU. Temporal turbidity trends revealed a seasonal pattern, with higher turbidity observed in the post-monsoon season due to catchment runoff and anthropogenic activities. This study confirmed that Landsat-8 OLI SR, supported by field measurements, is a reliable tool for long-term turbidity monitoring in inland lakes.
The over-extraction of river sand in Sri Lanka has reduced alluvial reserves in major basins by over 40% between 2010 and 2023, highlighting an urgent need for sustainable alternatives. This study presents the first comprehensive comparative analysis of four distinct sand typesriver (Polonnaruwa), sea (Muthurajawela), dune (Kandakuliya), and estuary (Kalutara)-using integrated physical, chemical, and mechanical evaluation. Tests included sieve analysis, chloride content measurement via Volhard’s method, and strength assessments at 7 and 28 days. Results showed that river and dune sands achieved compressive strengths exceeding 30 MPa and contained low chloride levels (<500 mg.kg-1), aligning with international standards for structural concrete. Although sea sand’s chloride content was high (1,796 mg.kg-1, 259% above limit), it could be viable if properly treated. Estuary sand reached 29.3 MPa strength but had borderline chloride levels, restricting its application. Failure mode analysis indicated strong structural performance for river and dune sands, whereas sea and estuary sands exhibited brittle failure patterns. Overall, processed dune sand and treated sea sand are promising substitutes for river sand, promoting sustainability. Ensuring chloride regulation and advancing treatment technologies are essential for successful adoption.
Flooding in residential areas remains a recurring problem in Makassar City, particularly in the Governor’s Housing Complex, Kassi-Kassi Subdistrict. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems in reducing flood risks. The methodology includes hydrological and hydraulic analysis, as well as catchment area mapping. The RWH system design is based on estimating the potential rainwater volume from annual rainfall intensity and rooftop catchment areas. The results show that the average flood volume in the study area is 61.66 m³. The effectiveness of the rainwater harvesting system varies with storage capacity and roof area. In the first scenario (8 m³), flood volume is reduced by 4.61- 60.06%; in the second scenario (10 m³), it achieves a 5.77-75.08% reduction; and in the third scenario (15.6 m³), it results in a 9.01-80.12% decrease. Differences in rooftop size influence the variation in percentage reduction, which affects the volume of harvested rainwater. The third scenario demonstrates the highest effectiveness, indicating that rainwater harvesting is a feasible and efficient strategy for urban rainwater management and flood mitigation. The study concludes that integrating rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems is a practical and sustainable solution for urban flood mitigation, especially in flood-prone areas such as KassiKassi, Makassar.
Large quantities of corn cobs, rice husks, and sugarcane bagasse are often burned or left to decay, contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in many rural areas of Indonesia. However, earlier studies indicated that the ashes from these agricultural wastes have the potential to serve as partial substitutes for cement in concrete production, reducing environmental pollution. Because of their rich silica composition, the pozzolanic properties of corn cob ash (CCA), rice husk ash (RHA), and sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) can improve the long-term performance of concrete. This research investigated the use of rice husk ash, sugarcane bagasse ash, and corn cob ash as alternative materials for partially replacing cement, focusing on their effects on the flowing concrete with the addition of Sika-Viscocrete as a superplasticizer. This study examined the properties of flowing concrete, including unit weight, compressive strength, and the efficiency of cement utilization. The unit weight of concrete was tested following SNI 1973:2008, while its compressive strength was evaluated in accordance with SNI 1974:2011. This study applied statistical analysis and linear regression. Experimental findings showed that the measured unit weight values were consistently within the interval of 2300-2500 kg.m- ³ and, according to the measured unit weight, the concrete was considered normal-weight concrete. The highest compressive strength obtained was 35.22 MPa at 7% variation of corn cob ash, and the highest efficiency in cement utilization was observed in flowing concrete with corn cob ash substitution. This is because among the alternatives, corn cob ash achieved the greatest strength improvement per unit of cement at 1.13 MPa per kg.m- ³. Statistical analysis revealed the effect of substitution levels, and the regression analysis yielded several data-based equations. Employing agricultural waste ash as a partial cement substitute provides a sustainable pathway toward reducing overall cement consumption.
Sustainable development requires a good quality of life for all. Therefore, we investigated the short- and long-term dynamics of the Environmental Quality Index (EQI) across 34 provinces in Indonesia from 2015 to 2023 using a Panel Error Correction Model. The explanatory variables included the democracy index, population density, education level, wages, poverty, foreign investment, domestic investment, and Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP). In the short term, GRDP reduced the EQI by 0.32 units, while the others did not show a significant impact. In the long term, democracy increased the EQI by 0.13 units, education level by 12.29 units, and poverty by 0.01 units, while GRDP and population density reduced it by 0.09 units and 0.16 units, respectively. Further analysis revealed that GRDP derived from the mining sector reduced the EQI, whereas service sectors such as education and health contributed to its improvement. Based on these findings, local governments should integrate environmental protection directly into their development agendas by implementing rigorous environmental impact assessments, expanding green infrastructure, and providing targeted incentives for the development of low-carbon industries.
The frequent application of chemical phosphate (P) fertilizers is costly and has emerged as a major concern in the agricultural sector of Sri Lanka. Therefore, the present study evaluated the impact of the fungal inoculum Penicillium oxalicum (Bt9) on the bio-solubilization of Eppawala Rock Phosphate (ERP)-enriched compost. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was employed, comprising four compost treatments, each replicated four times. Treatment 1 (T1) was amended with P. oxalicum (Bt9) and sugar; Treatment 2 (T2) was amended solely with P. oxalicum (Bt9); Treatment 3 (T3) was amended solely with sugar, and Treatment 4 (T4) served as the control, lacking both P. oxalicum (Bt9) and sugar. The released bioavailable phosphorus (P) content of each treatment was determined using the molybdenum blue method. A pot experiment was conducted using red cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), grown in a 1:1 mixture of phospho-compost and soil, to evaluate the effect of ERP bio-solubilization by P. oxalicum (Bt9) on plant growth. The results showed significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) values for plant growth parameters, including shoot length, root length, and total plant length, in Treatments 1 and 2 compared with Treatments 3 and 4. The highest shoot length, root length, and total plant length were recorded in Treatment 1, with values of 26.58 ± 2.44 cm, 11.36 ± 1.48 cm, and 54.24 ± 2.64 cm, respectively. The study concluded that P. oxalicum (Bt9) significantly enhanced phosphate solubilization and promoted the growth of red cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Therefore, ERP-enriched compost inoculated with P. oxalicum (Bt9) may be considered a sustainable alternative to imported chemical phosphate fertilizers.
Tofu wastewater is a major contributor to organic pollution in many Asian rivers; however, household-scale tofu production in eastern Indonesia remains poorly documented. This study provides an integrated characterization of tofu and its wastewater in the Telaga Subdistrict, Gorontalo, as baseline information for local water management. The proximate composition of tofu and wastewater was determined following standard AOAC methods, and river water was sampled at three points: upstream (A), downstream (B), and the wastewater channel (C). Contamination parameters (COD, BOD, TSS, ammonia, and pH) were assessed and compared using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey’s test. Tofu retained high moisture and moderate protein levels, confirming its role as an affordable protein source, while the wastewater still contained soluble proteins and carbohydrates. At Point C, COD (7499 mg.L-1), BOD (864 mg.L-1), and TSS (147 mg.L-1) substantially exceeded national and international thresholds, whereas ammonia (0.01–0.10 mg.L-1) and pH (7.2–7.3) remained within regulatory limits and were lower than those commonly reported for tofu effluents elsewhere. Although wastewater flow was not measured, the very high organic concentrations indicate that even household-scale tofu industries can exert considerable local organic pollution pressure and should be included in water quality monitoring and lowcost treatment programs. At the same time, the presence of residual nutrients suggests potential for valorization pathways such as biogas generation or microbial biomass production, which should be explored in future studies to support context-appropriate circular economy initiatives in Gorontalo.
Lichens, which are symbiotic associations between fungi and algae, serve as bioindicators for assessing air quality via the Modified Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAPM). This research evaluated atmospheric conditions and mapped isocontamination zones in Chachapoyas, Peru. Lichen samples were collected from 36 locations across six urban sectors, while measurements of phorophyte bark pH, ambient temperature, and humidity were also taken. A total of 27 lichen species on 15 phorophyte species were identified. Statistical analysis found no significant correlation between IAPM scores and environmental factors such as bark pH, phorophyte species, temperature, or humidity. Using the IAPM data and Kriging interpolation in QGIS, an isocontamination map was created to display spatial air pollution patterns. The map indicated that the central sector of Chachapoyas had the lowest air quality, while peripheral areas showed decreasing pollution levels, illustrating a clear urban pollution gradient.
Microplastics have emerged as another dimension of hazardous and persistent pollutants afflicting every corner of the globe, even permeating critical biodiversity hotspots. This study aims to serve as a preliminary report on the occurrence and assessment of MP pollution in shore sediments of four selected rivers in the state of Mizoram, which lies in one of the sensitive biodiversity hotspots in India, and is also a part of the eastern Himalayan range. There have been minimal studies on microplastic pollution in this region despite its critical ecological location. Four freshwater rivers, namely Chite, Tlawng, Serlui-A, and Tuirial, were selected for the study due to their proximity to urban settlements and have been subjected to rampant plastic pollution. The study revealed that MPs were detected from all sampling sites, and abundance was highest in Chite, which runs through parts of Aizawl city. Particles within the size range of 0.15-0.25 mm were found to be the highest in numbers in all sampling locations, while MPs between 3-5 mm were the least in number. The shapes of MPs were varied, constituting fragments, fibers, pellets, and spheres, with fibers (40%) being the dominant shape overall. Polyethylene was found to be the dominant polymer type among particles analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy. This study contributes to the imperative assessment of MP pollution in river sediments of the eastern Himalayan region of India, as comprehensive research in this regard is still lacking.
Cellulose, a renewable biopolymer, can be sustainably extracted from agricultural residues such as banana peels, which are plentiful yet often discarded as waste. Traditional extraction methods are laborious, require prolonged heating, and consume large quantities of chemicals, posing environmental and economic concerns. In this study, a microwaveassisted technique was explored for cellulose extraction from banana peels and compared with conventional thermal treatment under identical chemical conditions. The process involved sequential liquefaction, delignification, and bleaching, with microwave radiation applied at 600 W. Results showed that microwave-assisted extraction significantly improved efficiency, yielding 86.43% cellulose compared to approximately 83% with conventional methods, while reducing processing time from 455 min to just 22 min (excluding 14 min for cycle repetition). FTIR analysis confirmed effective removal of lignin and hemicellulose, XRD indicated preservation of cellulose structure with a crystallinity index of 56.8%, and SEM images revealed smoother, cleaner, and similarly textured cellulose in microwave-treated samples compared to conventional ones. These findings demonstrate that microwave radiation not only enhances cellulose purity and structural quality but also offers significant benefits in energy savings and process sustainability. The resulting cellulose is suitable for applications in packaging, composites, and nanocellulose production. This research establishes microwave-assisted treatment as a scalable, eco-friendly, and time-efficient alternative to traditional methods for converting banana peel waste into high-value cellulose.
Flood frequency analysis (FFA) is essential for hydrological risk assessment and infrastructure planning. However, traditional methods often assume stationarity, a premise increasingly challenged by climate change and human activities. This study explores nonstationary FFA in the Kosi River Basin using three approaches: Maximum Likelihood estimation, two-stage regression modeling, and Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape (GAMLSS). Daily flow records were used to extract annual maximum discharges, which were fitted to time-varying Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) models. Results show clear nonstationarity, with rising flood quantiles, especially for the 50- and 100-year return periods. While the Maximum Likelihood and Two-Stage approaches captured linear trends, GAMLSS revealed nonlinear dynamics. Model comparisons via Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) indicated no single method was best overall; multimodel averaging weighted by AIC provided more reliable quantile estimates. Bootstrap resampling confirmed increasing uncertainty with longer return periods and consistently highlighted growing flood risks. Stationary models tended to overestimate current design floods by about 35–40%, risking over-design if stationarity is wrongly assumed. This research illustrates that combining multimodal averaging with bootstrap uncertainty offers a robust framework for nonstationary flood frequency analysis, aiding climate-resilient water management and flood risk planning.
Burning rice straw in open fields has led to a plethora of concerns, ranging from air pollution to soil carbon losses, posing a risk to human health and disturbing the soil ecosystem. The problem of rice stubble burning has been addressed by adopting different in-situ and ex-situ conservation technologies supported by the government and private companies. Biochar production from rice straw is one such method. Biochar is a carbon-rich porous material produced by the thermochemical conversion of various biomass feedstocks and is used globally to improve soil properties. It plays a crucial role in sustainable agriculture and in environmental health. It has the potential to enhance soil fertility, water retention, and nutrient cycling, while also offering carbon sequestration benefits. However, the adoption of biochar as a soil amendment practice is still challenging owing to the limited understanding of the long-term effects on soil health, the establishment of onsite production facilities, high energy consumption in the production process, and inconsistent results depending on the variable soil types. For biochar to be applied practically for soil improvement in different climatic regions and crop production, it is important to understand the potential effects of biochar on soil properties, the factors that cause soil to change when biochar is added, and the mechanisms of biochar–soil interaction. This review provides an overview of the current research on rice straw biochar and identifies key limitations that will direct future research and policy decisions for its integration into sustainable farming practices. It underscores the potential of biochar to combat global warming, mitigate environmental damage, and its role in reversing the impacts of climate change in line with sustainable development goals.
Soil microbes, the primary components of soil biodiversity, provide crucial ecosystem services. Anthropogenic activities, such as agriculture, bring about innumerable biotic and abiotic changes in the soil ecosystem that can have short and long-term impacts on the environment and soil sustainability. Lowland paddy cultivation is a typical example of anthropogenic disturbance to soil, where the paddy field fluctuates between waterlogged conditions and extreme dry spells, which have some immediate effects, such as greenhouse gas emissions, and a probable long-term impact on soil, altering soil oxidoreduction states and influencing microbe-driven nutrient and carbon cycling. Although rice is a dominant crop in Northeast India, microbial responses to paddy cultivation remain poorly documented. In this study, we compared the soil microbiomes of paddy fields and adjacent non-paddy land in the Bhagawatipara region of Kamrup district of Assam, India, using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Paddy soils exhibited clear shifts in microbial abundance, with an increased representation of methanogens, nitrogen-transforming archaea, diazotrophs, and phosphatesolubilizing bacteria. Distinct changes in alpha and beta diversity further indicated strong hydrological and cultivation-driven impacts on microbial community dynamics. This study provides the first comprehensive microbial dataset for paddy soils in the Kamrup district (Assam) and highlights key microbial signatures associated with methane cycling and soil nutrient processes.
Air quality monitoring and prediction are important for effective public health strategies, as air pollution is a major contributor to mortality. The goal is to design and evaluate different deep learning models: Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Bidirectional LSTM (Bi-LSTM), and a hybrid Conv1D-LSTM on different input sets of features. The dataset consists of pollutant and meteorological parameters from 2019 to 2024 with hourly frequency for two monitoring stations: Colaba and Deonar. The models were trained on three sets of features: pollutant-only, meteorological-only, and combined features. Model accuracy was determined using the root mean square error, coefficient of determination, mean absolute percentage error, and explained variance score. The results indicate that the combined attributes significantly enhanced the prediction quality, with the hybrid CNNLSTM performing best at Colaba and the LSTM on meteorological attributes performing best at Deonar. The Bi-LSTM exhibited consistent performance on the feature sets. These results underscore the importance of using both pollutants and meteorological information and illustrate the efficiency of sophisticated deep learning structures for location-based air quality prediction.
The abundance and diversity of butterflies in an ecosystem are crucial for informing conservation strategies. This research surveyed butterfly communities across three distinct biotopes in Kumaun, Uttarakhand, India. Random sampling was conducted from March 2023 to February 2024 in agricultural fields, riverine areas, and urban settlements. A total of 94 butterfly species from six families were documented: Nymphalidae (42 species), Pieridae (19), Lycaenidae (17), Papilionidae (08), Hesperiidae (05), and Riodinidae (03). Beta diversity analyses indicated significant variation among biotopes. The riverine habitat exhibited the highest alpha diversity and species richness, followed by urban and agricultural areas. Agricultural land and river catchment site shared the most species, whereas urban and agricultural biotopes showed the least similarity. Butterfly diversity peaked during summer and post-monsoon across all habitats. Seven species are listed under Schedule II, and one under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The decline in butterfly diversity in agricultural landscapes points to habitat loss driven by expanding agricultural frontiers in Nainital district. Overall, the findings underscore the value of butterfly communities as ecological indicators for monitoring habitat changes and environmental health in the Western Himalaya.
This study investigated the characteristics of modified corn cob biochar (BTJT) and its effects on the physical properties of Ultisol soil co-inoculated with BTJT. The material was produced through a synergistic process involving pyrolysis, activation, and immobilization, which combined biochar, nutrients, and biological agents. The research consisted of two experiments: the first analysed the morphological characteristics and specific surface area (SSA) of BTJT pores with three inoculation durations (7, 14, and 21 days), and the second examined soil bulk density, porosity, and water retention after BTJT co-inoculation. A completely randomized design (CRD) with five treatments, three replicates, and three observation periods was applied. The analytical methods included SEM-EDX and BET, with soil parameters comprising bulk density, water content (% volume and % weight), porosity, and water retention. Statistical analyses were conducted using ANOVA-Tukey tests, regression, and correlation analyses with a 5% error margin. The results indicated that BTJT application at 2 t.ha-1 significantly decreased bulk density while increasing soil water content, porosity, and water retention. Overall, the study concludes that the synergistic modification of corn cob biochar effectively enhances soil physical properties, recommending the application of BTJT (biotron) at 2 t.ha-1 for optimal improvement of Ultisol soil quality.
Soil salinity remains a major abiotic factor limiting agricultural productivity worldwide, with the situation worsening in parts of Maharashtra, particularly Karad Taluka. This study examined saline soils from various locations within Karad, assessing their physicochemical properties and isolating indigenous halotolerant bacterial strains that exhibit plant growthpromoting rhizobacterial (PGPR) traits. The soil analysis revealed highly alkaline pH levels (8.8-9.4), elevated sodium concentrations, and deficiencies in organic carbon, nitrogen, and micronutrients. Five halotolerant bacterial isolates (Ko1, Va1, Be1, Vm1, and At1) were obtained and evaluated for PGPR activities such as phosphate and potassium solubilization, nitrogen fixation, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production, and siderophore synthesis. All isolates demonstrated positive results in phosphate and potassium solubilization, nitrogen fixation, and IAA production, with four also producing siderophores. Notably, isolates Be1, Vm1, and At1 showed strong performance across multiple traits, highlighting their potential as bioinoculant candidates. These findings suggest that native halotolerant PGPR strains from Karad Taluka could enhance soil fertility, improve nutrient uptake, and support plant growth in saline conditions. Future research including field trials and molecular characterization could facilitate the development of environmentally sustainable microbial formulations for saline agriculture.
Accurate and timely assessment of soil quality is essential for sustainable farming and efficient agricultural management. The Soil Quality Index (SQI) is heavily influenced by fluctuations in physical and chemical soil indicators. Twelve composite soil samples were collected from the dragon fruit cultivation area in Tay Ninh, Vietnam. The dataset included eleven soil parameters: pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total organic carbon (TOC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), available phosphorus (P_av), ammonium (NH4+), bulk density, particle density, clay, silt, and sand. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to identify the Minimum Dataset (MDS) and determine parameter weights. These were combined with land index scores to estimate the SQI. Additionally, a spatial distribution map of SQI was created using the Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) method in ArcGIS 10.8. Results showed that the MDS is influenced by four principal components, which explain 89.02% of the total data variance. Key parameters include CEC, P_av, EC, and pH, with weights of 0.37, 0.26, 0.22, and 0.15, respectively. The average soil quality score was 41.6%, with 58.3% classified as degraded. The study demonstrated that combining PCA and GIS provides a comprehensive and intuitive approach to SQI evaluation. Furthermore, developing agronomic maps based on large sample sizes supports sustainable agricultural management, as evidenced by these research findings.
Landfills utilize leachate containment systems featuring a compacted liner layer with low hydraulic conductivity. Typically, the required hydraulic conductivity is ≤ 1 × 10⁻⁵ cm.s-1 for final cover liners and ≤ 1 × 10⁻⁶ cm/s for bottom liners, to prevent leachate from migrating into surrounding soil and groundwater. This study tested composites made from textileindustry sludge amended with bentonite, lime, and rice husk ash to assess their potential as landfill liner materials. Results indicated that composites with 40% or more bentonite (by mass) mixed with dewatered sludge could meet permeability standards. The addition of 1% lime and 8% rice husk ash further reduced permeability. Incorporating bentonite increased cohesion and lowered the internal friction angle, while lime and rice husk ash raised the internal friction angle and caused fluctuations in cohesion.
