Traditional techniques for adding modifiers to solid support materials are time-consuming and require significant energy and materials. This study focuses on modifying agricultural waste using a quick, simple, and easy solid-phase extraction approach. This work reports the design, fabrication, and laboratory evaluation of Alfalfa straw biomass (Alf. S) decorated with magnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 MNPs) for oil-water separation. This novel magnetic nanocomposite adsorbent was synthesized via in situ coprecipitation. FTIR, XRD, and SEM characterized the newly developed nanocomposite (Fe3O4 MNPs@Alf. S biomass). In this study, the Box-Behnken experimental design (BBD) was used to determine the optimal values of three independent variables affecting oil removal efficiency from seawater: the amount of Fe3O4 MNPs@Alf. S biomass, the amount of oil in grams, and adsorption time (min). The maximum adsorption capacity was 1300 mg/g with 300.0 mg of adsorbent, 10.0 mL of used motor oil, and an adsorption time of 1 min. The data also confirm successful fabrication and oil adsorption, as the high R2 value and close proximity to R2(adj) indicate that the BBD model was significant.
This study assesses the integrated impacts of land use/land cover (LULC) change and climate change on hydrological responses in the Hare watershed, Southern Ethiopia, using the SWAT model. Historical climate trends, LULC dynamics, and future climate projections based on CMIP6 scenarios were analyzed. The model was calibrated and validated using observed stream flow data. Results indicate that LULC change and climate variability significantly influence surface runoff, evapotranspiration, base flow, and water yield. Combined scenarios showed stronger hydrological responses compared to individual impacts. The findings provide useful insights for sustainable watershed management under changing climate and land-use conditions.
Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is a major food grain crop cultivated in India (31.4 million hectares in 2022-2023). In view of rising concerns of emissions from agriculture, it was considered to assess the global warming potential (GWP) of various wheat cultivation practices being followed in central India. Wheat sowing by five different machines along with associated cultivation practices were evaluated and compared with traditional wheat cultivation with seed cum fertilizer drill. The five wheat cultivation machinery packages evaluated were i) Zero till seed cum fertilizer drill; ii) Zero till drill with straw handler; iii) Happy seeder; iv) Broad bed former seeder; and v) Rotary tiller assisted broad bed former seeder–over a period of three years from 2021-2022 to 2023-2024. The GWP was found minimum with Happy seeder at 555.0 kg CO2eq./ha, followed by Zero till drill with straw handler (648.3 kg CO2 eq./ha) and Zero till drill (651.8 kg CO2 eq./ha). Wheat cultivation with conventional Seed cum fertilizer drill had highest GWP of 775.4 kg CO2 eq./ha due to higher fuel usage in the whole cultivation process. The grain yield was highest on wheat cultivation with Rotary tiller assisted broad bed former seeder(5401.3 kg/ha)and this cultivation practice also had minimum Greenhouse Gas(GHG) intensity of 0.126 kg CO2 eq./kg of grain output. Wheat cultivation with Rotary tiller assisted broad bed former seeder was considered climate resilient due to its higher yield, lower GHG intensity, and maximum economic return (Rs.23,530 per hectare) over conventional method.
Saudi Arabia faces rising energy demand driven by rapid urbanization, industrialization, and population growth, presenting major sustainability challenges. This study employs the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) to evaluate the key determinants of energy consumption and to prioritize sustainable alternatives. energy-consumption drivers and strategies were identified through a systematic literature review and assessed using expert-based pairwise comparisons. A panel of highly experienced experts (n=7) independently completed full pairwise comparison matrices. After individual consistency testing, corresponding judgments were transformed into triangular fuzzy numbers and aggregated component-wise using the geometric mean before fuzzy weighting, defuzzification, and normalization. Results reveal that the industrial sector (0.385) and urbanization (0.208) are the most influential drivers of energy demand, reflecting the energy-intensive nature of manufacturing and the growing reliance on air conditioning in households. Economic growth and transportation also play substantial roles, whereas climate conditions and the residential sector were less significant. Among alternatives, sustainable urban form (0.322) and sustainable infrastructure (0.301) ranked highest, supported by energy-efficient buildings and urban greening. These findings align with global studies emphasizing efficiency and infrastructure as pillars of sustainable urban planning, while reflecting Saudi-specific priorities. The study highlights FAHP’s utility in structuring expert judgment under uncertainty and provides actionable insights for integrating energy efficiency into Saudi Vision 2030, offering a balanced framework for managing the country’s energy transition.
Rapid urbanization in Saudi Arabia has significantly increased municipal solid waste (MSW) generation, intensified environmental pressures and complicated sustainable waste management. Despite ongoing national initiatives aligned with Vision 2030, systematic integration of waste-to-energy (WtE) approaches remains limited, particularly in the Eastern Province. This study investigates the major challenges associated with MSW management in the region, including population growth, inadequate collection and segregation practices, limited recycling infrastructure, and the environmental and socio-economic impacts of current disposal methods. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, incorporating a comprehensive literature review, analysis of recent datasets from the General Authority of Statistics (GASTAT), and projections of per capita waste generation (kg/person/day) from 2022 to 2060 under various urban growth scenarios. The study also examined existing MSW management practices and evaluated their alignment with global benchmarks. Comparative case studies from Sweden, Japan, Egypt, and selected Arab countries were analyzed to identify successful WtE and circular-economy strategies and to determine their applicability to the Saudi context. Findings reveal significant gaps in waste segregation, recycling rates, and technological adoption, alongside promising opportunities to harness renewable energy from MSW through scalable thermal and biological conversion pathways. The study provides policy recommendations to strengthen regulatory frameworks, enhance resource recovery, and integrate WtE solutions into municipal planning. The insights aim to support decision-makers in advancing sustainable MSW management and accelerating the transition toward a circular economy in the Eastern Province
