Nature Environment and Pollution Technology

Activity Concentrations of Natural Radionuclides and Ingestion Radiological Risk in Common Medicinal Plants from Iraq

The increasing use of medicinal plants as natural alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs has raised concerns about contamination by naturally occurring radioactive materials and the potential health risks associated with their consumption. This study aimed to determine the activity concentrations of U-238, Th-232, and K-40 in commonly consumed medicinal plants and to assess the associated radiological risks resulting from their ingestion. Twenty medicinal plant samples were collected from four herbal shops in Al-Diwaniyah City, Iraq, and analyzed using gamma-ray spectrometry with a NaI(Tl) detector on a dry-weight basis. The mean activity concentrations were 3.90 ± 0.39 Bq.kg-1 for U-238, 13.03 ± 1.16 Bq.kg-1 for Th232, and 548.99 ± 12.65 Bq.kg-1 for K-40. The results showed that the activity concentrations of U-238 and Th-232 were below the global average values reported by UNSCEAR, whereas the activity concentration of K-40 exceeded these values in most samples because of natural uptake and agricultural practices. All calculated radiological hazard indices, including radium equivalent activity and excess lifetime cancer risk, were within the recommended safety limits. Overall, the findings confirm that the investigated medicinal plants are radiologically safe for consumption under normal conditions of use while emphasizing the need for regular monitoring to support long-term public health protection.

Zainab Hadi Rajih and Osamah Nawfal Oudah

Modeling Temporal Persistence in Daily Pan Evaporation Using Interpretable Machine Learning

Accurate prediction of daily pan evaporation (Ep) is critical for irrigation management and water resource planning, yet it remains challenging due to strong temporal variability and persistence. Most available models are based primarily on contemporaneous meteorological variables and do not account for the inherent memory of evaporation. This paper systematically explores the impact of temporal memory on daily Ep by explicitly separating evaporation persistence from meteorological memory through a machine learning framework. A Categorical Boosting (CatBoost) model was used to analyze multi-year data from a semi-arid to sub-humid area in western-central India. The model used lagged Ep and meteorological variables at 1-, 3-, 7-, and 14-day timescales. The coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute error (MAE) were used to evaluate model performance, while Random Forest and XGBoost were used for benchmarking. Feature importance and SHAP analyses provided interpretability. The findings indicate that the inclusion of a 1-day lag of pan evaporation substantially improves predictive performance, with RMSE decreasing to 0.83 mm. This improvement indicates strong short-term persistence in day-to-day evaporation. Longer evaporation lags degrade performance, whereas lagged meteorological variables provide modest additional improvement beyond evaporation memory. CatBoost demonstrated the most balanced performance among the evaluated models. Overall, the findings confirm that short-term evaporation persistence dominates temporal dependence in daily Ep, with meteorological memory playing a secondary role, thereby offering a physically interpretable and efficient framework for data-driven evaporation modeling.

Jaydeep Kale and Sanjaykumar Sharma

Three Decades of Urban Heat Dynamics in Patna, India: A Remote Sensing-Based Hotspot Analysis

Rapid urbanization in tropical cities has intensified surface thermal stress, yet the longterm persistence and spatial structure of urban heat remain poorly understood, particularly in rapidly expanding cities of the Global South. This study investigates three decades (1995–2025) of urban thermal dynamics in Patna, India, with a focus on identifying longterm temperature trends, examining their relationship with vegetation greenness and built-up expansion, and assessing the spatial persistence of urban heat hotspots. Using a longitudinal remote sensing framework, Land Surface Temperature (LST) was analyzed alongside the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), derived from multi-decadal Landsat imagery processed in a cloudbased environment. A comprehensive spatiotemporal analytical approach integrating nonparametric trend analysis, correlation testing, hotspot persistence mapping, and multivariate regression modeling was employed to capture both temporal trajectories and spatial stability of urban warming. Results reveal a statistically significant increase in mean LST at a rate of approximately 0.13°C yr?¹, accompanied by a strong and monotonic rise in built-up intensity, while vegetation greenness exhibits high interannual variability without a significant longterm trend. Spatial analysis identifies a marked regime shift around the mid-2000s, after which high-temperature zones persistently dominate more than 95% of the urban area, with no observed reversals over the subsequent two decades. Regression results confirm builtup expansion as the sole statistically significant predictor of long-term surface warming at the city scale. Collectively, the findings suggest that Patna has experienced a sustained shift toward long-term dominance of high-temperature zones, indicating increasing persistence of urban heat across the city. The study provides robust empirical evidence of long-term urban heat persistence in a tropical city and offers a transferable analytical framework for identifying sustained thermal risk to support climate-sensitive urban planning and adaptation strategies.

Avinash Kumar Singh and Manoj Kumar

Dispersion Modeling of SO? and NO? Emissions Using AERMOD on Ambient Air Quality at Steam Power Plant PT.X in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

This study aims to analyze SO2 and NO2 concentrations around the PT.X power plant through direct measurements, model their distribution patterns using AERMOD, and evaluate the model’s performance using RMSE, MBE, and R statistical tests. Monitoring was conducted at two monitoring points (PLTU PT.X Area and Nii Tanasa Village) over four 1-hour intervals (morning, afternoon, evening, night) using an Impinger Air Sampler. The results show that the highest field-measured SO2 (39.95 µg m?³) and NO2 (14.82 µg m?³) occurred during the afternoon, whereas AERMOD predicted peak concentrations at night, reaching SO2 (31.87 µg m?³) and NO2 (10.56 µg m?³) at the PLTU PT.X monitoring point, indicating stable atmospheric conditions. Pollutant distribution aligns with the prevailing north-northeast winds, with concentrations decreasing with distance and remaining within regulatory limits. Statistical validation for SO2 and NO2 yielded RMSE values of 14 µg m?³ and 5.37 µg m?³, MBE of -10.44 µg m?³ and -4.32 µg m?³, and R of 0.36 and 0.12, respectively. These values reflect the inherent challenges of aligning short-term field data with long-term dispersion modeling. It is concluded that spatial proximity to emission sources is the primary factor determining concentration patterns. While acknowledging temporal limitations for full-scale validation, the AERMOD model serves as a valuable preliminary screening tool for these distribution patterns. These findings provide an initial overview to inform decision-making and support the development of effective emission mitigation and environmental management strategies for the surrounding areas.

Nur Miftahuljannah , Sumarni Hamid Aly and Muralia Hustim

Fish Diversity and Habitat Complexity: The Role of Macrophytes and Physicochemical Parameters in Urban and Rural Tropical Lakes

This study highlights the impact of urbanization, agricultural runoff, and invasive species on freshwater ecosystems and aquatic biodiversity. It presents a comparative ecological assessment of two freshwater lakes in Vellore District, Tamil Nadu, India: Katpadi Lake (urban) and Saina Palayam Lake (rural). A total of 15 fish species were documented across both lakes, with Oreochromis niloticus identified as an exotic invasive species. The fish community was dominated by Cypriniformes (60%), demonstrating ecological adaptability. Diversity indices such as Shannon (H?) and Simpson (1–D) showed slight variations between the lakes. Katpadi Lake had higher total dissolved solids and conductivity, indicating greater anthropogenic influence. Ten macrophyte species, including submerged, floating-leaved, and emergent types, were observed, with their distribution differing between urban and rural sites, reflecting habitat and water-quality differences. Macrophyte diversity was greater in Saina Palayam Lake, linking habitat complexity to higher fish diversity. Submerged species such as Najas marina and Myriophyllum spicatum likely enhance habitat quality for native species. The rural wetland recorded nitrate and phosphate concentrations of 3 mg L?1 and 0.13 mg L?1, respectively, indicating measurable nutrient enrichment, while higher hardness, chloride, and ammonia levels in Katpadi Lake point to urban pollution. The findings underscore the importance of integrated monitoring of fish, macrophytes, and water quality to conserve and manage freshwater biodiversity across different environmental contexts.

I. Annie Pushpa, K. Maheshkumar, V. Deepak Samuel and N. Nirmal Magadalenal

Household Behavioral Compliance in Waste Management Using the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior

Despite the expansion of waste management infrastructure and regulations, behavioral compliance with proper waste management practices remains inconsistent, particularly in developing-country contexts. This study investigates the factors influencing household compliance with waste management practices by extending the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to incorporate motivational and deterrence-related mechanisms. A quantitative research design was employed using survey data collected from 106 household respondents and analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 4. The measurement and structural models were evaluated to assess construct validity, reliability, and the significance of the hypothesized relationships. The PLS-SEM results revealed that motivation was the strongest predictor of behavioral compliance (? = 0.499, p < 0.001). These findings indicate that motivation is the strongest predictor of behavioral compliance, while perceptions of the waste management system also exert a significant positive influence. Penalty awareness does not directly affect compliance but significantly enhances motivation, suggesting an indirect deterrence mechanism. In contrast, attitudes toward waste management practices do not demonstrate a significant effect on compliance behavior. Furthermore, the study contributes to the literature by empirically validating an extended TPB framework in a developing-country setting such as the Philippines and demonstrating the importance of integrating penalty- and motivation-related constructs in explaining behavioral compliance. The policy implications of this study emphasize the need for behavior-centered governance strategies that complement infrastructure investments through visible enforcement, motivational interventions, and improved public perceptions of waste management systems.

Mary Ellen Camarillo

Legacy Pesticides in Aquatic Systems: Mechanistic Persistence, Regulatory Lag, and Catchment-Scale Remediation Imperatives

Legacy pesticides remain a persistent environmental challenge despite regulatory bans and reductions in agricultural pesticide use. Continued detections in surface water and groundwater indicate that historical residues stored in soils and sediments contribute to long-term contamination. This review evaluates the mechanistic processes governing legacy pesticide persistence, including adsorption–desorption dynamics, sediment storage, preferential flow pathways, and groundwater recharge behavior. A structured literature synthesis of peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025 was conducted to assess monitoring trends, physicochemical determinants of persistence, and remediation technologies applicable at the catchment scale. Evidence indicates that exceedances of the 0.1 µg L?¹ regulatory threshold remain frequent in vulnerable agricultural regions because of delayed release from environmental reservoirs rather than ongoing application alone. Adsorption-based technologies, particularly activated carbon systems, show potential for practical mitigation, while biochar amendments and advanced oxidation processes offer complementary treatment pathways. The analysis indicates that regulatory restrictions should be coupled with targeted remediation and soil risk assessment to achieve measurable improvements in water quality. An integrated catchment-level management framework is therefore proposed to address legacy contamination and support sustainable water resource protection.

Pradip T. Salve

Evaluating Green Infrastructure Interventions for Land Surface Temperature Reduction: A PRISMA-Based Systematic Review

Rapid urbanization has intensified land surface temperatures (LST) in cities worldwide, exacerbating the urban heat island effect and increasing risks to thermal discomfort, public health, and energy demand. Green infrastructure (GI), including street trees, urban parks, green roofs, vertical greenery, and blue-green systems, has emerged as a key nature-based strategy for mitigating urban surface heat. This study presents a PRISMA-guided systematic review combined with bibliometric analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of GI interventions in reducing LST within built environments. A comprehensive search of the Web of Science Core Collection identified 211 records, of which 61 peer-reviewed studies published between 2012 and 2026 met the predefined inclusion criteria. Bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer reveals a rapidly expanding research field, characterized by exponential growth (R² = 0.9135) and strong thematic convergence around keywords such as green infrastructure, land surface temperature, urban heat island, and built environment. Keyword co-occurrence mapping identifies multiple interconnected research clusters, highlighting integration across thermal regulation, urban morphology, climate adaptation, and methodological innovation, while also revealing the relative underrepresentation of social and equity-focused dimensions. Geographically, research output is concentrated in Asia, Europe, and Australia, indicating regional imbalances in evidence generation. The systematic synthesis shows that treebased green infrastructure and urban parks consistently produce the largest LST reductions, commonly ranging from 2–4°C, with higher localized reductions, whereas green roofs and vertical greenery systems deliver more localized but critical cooling benefits in high-density urban areas. Cooling effectiveness is strongly context-dependent, shaped by climate zone, urban morphology, vegetation structure, and spatial configuration. Notably, several studies demonstrate that small-scale GI interventions can significantly reduce surface heat stress in informal settlements, suggesting potential equity implications, particularly in heat-vulnerable urban areas, although systematic evidence remains limited. By integrating bibliometric mapping with PRISMA-based content analysis, this review provides a context-sensitive, design-aware, and climate-responsive synthesis to support evidence-based urban heat mitigation and climate-resilient planning.

Avinash Kumar Singh and Manoj Kumar

Organic Waste to Energy: Enhancing Biodigester Efficiency in Oman for Sustainable Development

Organic waste presents a significant environmental and economic opportunity for renewable energy generation through anaerobic digestion. This study investigates the optimization of biodigester systems tailored to Oman’s unique climatic conditions and waste characteristics. Using a mixed-methods approach that integrates experimental data from 30-day monitoring with simulated scenarios, the study evaluates five feedstock types, namely food waste, agricultural residues, livestock manure, mixed organic waste, and food and crop waste, together with three pretreatment methods: mechanical, thermal, and chemical. The findings demonstrate that thermal pretreatment enhances biogas yield by up to 25–30%, while food waste and food and crop waste achieve the highest methane contents of 65% and 64%, respectively. Modeled environmental and economic analyses indicate potential benefits, including up to a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a 90% waste diversion rate, payback periods of 2–2.5 years for high-yield feedstocks, and net economic returns exceeding 30%. Simulated data further highlight the potential of co-digestion, system adaptations for arid climates, and real-time monitoring technologies to enhance biodigester performance. The study aligns with Oman Vision 2040 by providing practical insights into sustainable waste management and renewable energy integration. By addressing technical, environmental, and economic dimensions, this research offers a scalable and replicable model for advancing biodigester systems in Oman.

Jasim Abdullah Ali Al Shehhi and Nitin Bhaurao Raut

Eco-Friendly Degradation of Textile Azo Dye Reactive Orange ME2RL Using Pseudomonas stutzeri-Mediated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles

The discharge of synthetic azo dyes from textile industries poses serious environmental and health risks because of their genotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic nature. In the present study, eco-friendly iron oxide (Fe?O?) nanoparticles were biosynthesized using Pseudomonas stutzeri and ferric chloride as a precursor under ambient conditions and were applied for the degradation of the textile dye Reactive Orange ME2RL. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV–Visible spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, HRTEM, and DLS, confirming the formation of stable nanoscale Fe?O? particles. The nanoparticles exhibited efficient catalytic activity, achieving nearly 80?gradation of Reactive Orange ME2RL within 45 min. The degradation pathway and the formation of intermediate metabolites were confirmed using UV–Visible spectroscopy, FTIR, HPLC, and GC–MS analyses. Furthermore, phytotoxicity and fish toxicity assays indicated reduced toxicity of the degradation products. These results demonstrate that biosynthesized Fe?O? nanoparticles offer a rapid, efficient, and environmentally sustainable approach for the remediation of azo dye-contaminated textile wastewater.

P. Zambare, S. Kanase and A. Raut

Insights into WRF-Chem Sensitivity in a Coastal Region of Morocco: Chemical Mechanisms, Nesting Options, and Physical Parameterization

The performance of the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with chemistry (WRF-Chem) depends on the accuracy of input data and parameterisation schemes. This study examined the sensitivity of WRF-Chem version 4.4.2 to various domain configurations, chemical mechanisms, and physics parameterizations. The model was applied to predict air quality pollutants (PM??, O?, CO, NO?, SO?) and meteorological variables (wind speed and temperature) for the first time over the Moroccan city of Agadir, which features complex topography and land use. Multiple simulations tested the sensitivity of these variables to different chemical mechanisms (MOZART, RACM, GOCART), nesting configurations (three nested domains at a 1:4 ratio and four nested domains at a 1:3 ratio), and planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterizations (YSU, MYJ, MYNN2, QNSE). The modelled pollutant and meteorological data were then validated against surface observations using various statistical metrics. Results indicated that ozone (O?) and NO? show limited sensitivity to domain configuration and chemical mechanisms, implying they are primarily influenced by local factors, especially emission patterns. Conversely, CO exhibits greater sensitivity to nesting choices due to its dependence on accurately capturing local emissions and atmospheric mixing. Similarly, concentrations of PM??, SO?, and CO strongly depend on the representation of physical and chemical processes within domain configurations and chemical schemes. Ozone estimates, however, are highly affected by physical parameterizations, particularly those influencing temperature, highlighting the importance of temperature and sunlight in ozone formation. Sensitivity analysis revealed that optimal configurations differ by variable, based on both spatial variation and statistical assessment. For physics parameterizations, the YSU PBL scheme was preferred for predicting wind speed and temperature. Among chemical schemes, GOCART proved most effective for PM??, SO?, and CO, while MOZART was best suited for O? and NO?. The most efficient nesting setup was identified as three nested domains at a 1:4 ratio, balancing accuracy with computational efficiency. These findings suggest significant potential for improving air quality predictions in the region, though further refinement-particularly for PM??, which exhibited the lowest model accuracy-remains necessary for future research.

Karima Iraoui, Rachid Moustabchir, Hicham Charifi, Abdelfettah Benchrif and Ahmed Chirmata

Physicochemical Characterization of Pulp and Black Liquor Derived from Corn Husk and Coir Blends

This study investigates the suitability of an agrowaste biomass blend, specifically corn husk and coconut coir, for producing sustainable pulp through kraft pulping and elemental chlorinefree (ECF) bleaching. An equal weight ratio (1:1 w/w) of oven-dried corn husk and coir was pretreated with steam at 120°C for one hour, then subjected to kraft pulping in a batch reactor at 80°C for two hours using white liquor (NaOH and Na?S) at a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:18. The unbleached pulp, with a yield of 38.7%, was bleached with hydrogen peroxide (1:10 w/v pulp-to-peroxide ratio) at 60°C for one hour. The properties of both unbleached and bleached pulps were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, water retention value (WRV), cellulose content measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Black liquor from the pulping process was examined via UV–visible spectroscopy. SEM images revealed a fibril-bound network in unbleached pulp, which became more porous and fibrillated after bleaching. FTIR spectra confirmed lignin removal by decreased aromatic bands in the 1600–1400 cm?¹ range. The cellulose content increased from 60.2% to 85.4% post-bleaching. Elevated WRV indicated enhanced fiber swelling and porosity. TGA showed thermal degradation peaks between 200–350°C in bleached pulp, signifying improved thermal stability. UV-Vis analysis of black liquor revealed significant lignin peaks (an absorbance of 0.8 at 200–205 nm), indicating effective lignin removal. Overall, these results demonstrate that the pulping and bleaching procedures are viable for producing highquality, cellulose-based pulp suitable for environmentally friendly applications.

Madhuri Pydimalla, Shrinidhi Tavag, Surya Tej Valluri, Nukala Mohith Satya Vardhan and A. V. Raghavendra Rao

Simulation of the Migration Law of Cr(VI) in Groundwater Using a Fully Coupled Numerical Model

Coupled numerical models are widely used to investigate heavy metal migration in groundwater. This study selected a chromium slag stacking site and its surrounding area in Henan Province, China, as the research area to investigate the effective prevention of soil and groundwater pollution caused by hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), a by-product of chromium salt production. To this end, a three-dimensional numerical model of water flow and solute transport, fully coupled with convective dispersion, was constructed. The model was employed to examine the migration patterns of Cr(VI) in soil and groundwater while considering the influence of phreatic surface fluctuations caused by rainfall infiltration and soil matrix adsorption. The simulation results demonstrated that rainfall enhanced groundwater convection and dispersion and promoted the migration of Cr(VI). In the vadose zone, the Cr(VI) concentration at the plume center decreased from 568 to 307 mg kg?¹ under rainfall conditions, compared with a decrease to 224 mg kg?¹ without rainfall over five years. The investigation of soil adsorption revealed that adsorption by the soil matrix expanded the range of variation in Cr(VI) concentration while reducing the overall migration quantity compared with conditions without rainfall.

Haihua Li, Gaojie Chai, Yahui Xu, Xinyi Wang and Haozu Cheng

Assessment of Knowledge, Awareness, Attitude, and Practice of Plastic Waste Management Among the Digitally Active Public in India

Plastic pollution has become a significant challenge that seriously threatens the environment and biota. Studying people’s knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and practices regarding plastic pollution and plastic waste management can help inform policymaking, source segregation, and mitigation measures. The present study was conducted using an online Google Forms-based survey to assess the knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and practices of the general public towards plastic pollution and plastic waste management. A total of 540 respondents participated across 27 different states of India. Descriptive statistical measures, frequency analysis, chi-square goodness-of-fit tests, and Pearson correlation analysis were performed to analyse the results of sociodemographic information, sources of plastics, and different domains of KAP scores. The results show that plastic bags were the most regularly used single-use plastic items, mainly from grocery stores. The overall KAP scores revealed that 16.7% of respondents had poor knowledge, 30% had poor awareness, 19.3% had poor attitude, and 61.5% had poor practice related to plastic waste management and pollution. Sociodemographic variables such as residential area, education level, and occupation were significantly associated with KAP towards plastic pollution and waste management (P<0.05). The study recommends conducting environmental awareness campaigns, integrating topics related to plastic pollution and its impacts on the environment and human health into formal and informal education, and ensuring access to recycling facilities within local communities.

Kanhaiya Kumar and Kasi Marimuthu

Wind Power Density in Southern Iraq: A Comparative Study of Coastal, Port and Inland Sites

This study provides a comprehensive spatiotemporal assessment of Wind Power Density (WPD) in southern Iraq’s coastal zone using high-resolution meteorological data (January 2020–December 2022). Wind resources were analyzed at Al-Faw Grand Port, Umm Qasr, and Basrah International Airport at 10 m and 50 m elevations. Results demonstrate a significant coastal-inland gradient; annual mean WPD at 10 m decreased from 139.3 W m?² (Al-Faw) to 55.6 W m?² (Basrah). Extrapolating to 50 m enhanced WPD by factors of 1.7–2.9×, with Al-Faw reaching 236.9 W m?². According to NREL standards, all sites remain Class 1 at 10 m, though Al-Faw approaches the Class 2 threshold (243 W m?²), with an annual mean = 236.9 W m?² (Class 1). Seasonal analysis identifies summer (June–August) as the peak period, driven by Shamal wind events, where WPD exceeds 300 W m?² at 50 m, aligning with peak electricity demand. However, high temporal variability indicates significant intermittency. While current resources are insufficient for standalone commercial wind farms, the findings suggest strong potential for hybrid systems or seasonal supplemental generation. This research establishes a critical multi-height baseline for renewable energy policy and investment in Iraq.

Taghreed Ali Abbas, Muna H. Ahmed and Hazim H. Hussain

Mapping the Evolution of Urban Sprawl Research: A PRISMA-Based Systematic and Bibliometric Synthesis

Urban sprawl represents a major spatial manifestation of contemporary urbanization, reshaping land systems, ecological stability, and sustainability trajectories. This study presents a PRISMA-based systematic review combined with bibliometric and thematic synthesis to examine global urban sprawl research. Following structured screening of 183 records, 54 peer-reviewed journal articles were retained for detailed analysis. Bibliometric mapping using VOSviewer, quantitative comparison, and thematic synthesis were integrated to assess methodological evolution, geographic concentration, and sustainability integration. The findings reveal three developmental phases: an early exploratory stage, a consolidation phase dominated by spatial modeling, and a recent shift toward environmental and climaterelated assessment. Methodologically, Cellular Automata and CA–Markov models account for 40.74% of studies, followed by remote sensing change detection (25.93%), while spatial regression approaches remain limited (3.70%). Urban expansion magnitudes show substantial heterogeneity, with a mean built-up growth of 119.7% and a strongly right-skewed distribution (Sk = 1.97; K = 2.38). Reported growth ranges from below 20% to over 500%, frequently associated with agricultural land conversion and land surface temperature intensification. Classification accuracies typically range from 83% to 91%, indicating high technical reliability. Research output is geographically concentrated in Asia (61.11%), particularly in China and India, while governance-oriented scholarship remains comparatively underrepresented. Overlay analysis indicates an emerging focus on climate change and ecosystem impacts, yet institutional evaluation remains peripheral. Overall, the field demonstrates strong technical maturity but limited integration of policy assessment, underscoring the need for cross-scale causal modeling and standardized sustainability metrics.

Jaswant Singh and Kranti Kumar Maurya

Water Footprint of Local Herbs in Thailand Using the Water Footprint Network Methodology

This study quantified the water footprint (WF) of four economically important Thai medicinal herbs: Curcuma longa, Kaempferia parviflora, Andrographis paniculata, and Momordica charantia using the Water Footprint Network (WFN) methodology together with Thailandspecific climatic and cultivation data. The assessment covered green, blue, and gray WF components and incorporated basin-level water scarcity characterization. The results show that Curcuma longa had the lowest total WF (535 m³ ton?¹), driven primarily by green water use, while Momordica charantia had the highest WF (2,152 m³ ton?¹), reflecting substantial blue and gray water requirements. Kaempferia parviflora and Andrographis paniculata presented intermediate WFs of 1,088 and 1,869 m³ ton?¹, respectively. Spatial analysis revealed strong provincial variability linked to rainfall patterns and irrigation demand, particularly for Momordica charantia in northern and lower-central regions. Sensitivity analysis identified crop yield as the most influential parameter across all herbs, followed by Kc and ET0. The findings provide a robust evidence base for optimizing irrigation practices and guiding sustainable water management strategies within Thailand’s herbal cultivation sector.

Phairat Usubharatana and Harnpon Phungrassami

Sustainable Advances in Phosphorus Removal and Recovery from Industrial Wastewater

Phosphorus, an essential nutrient and a finite resource, poses significant environmental challenges when discharged into water bodies from industrial wastewater, contributing to eutrophication and ecosystem degradation. Concurrently, its recovery offers a sustainable pathway to address resource scarcity. This review critically evaluates recent progress in phosphorus removal and recovery technologies, emphasizing five widely recognized approaches: (i) biological processes, such as aerobic granular sludge and enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR); (ii) chemical precipitation using agents like lime and metal salts; (iii) struvite crystallization; (iv) electrocoagulation (EC) and (v) Bioelectrochemical Systems (BES) for phosphorus recovery. The assessment focuses on these methods’ efficiency, feasibility, and sustainability, highlighting their strengths and limitations. These strategies can foster environmentally sustainable wastewater treatment, mitigate eutrophication risks, and reduce dependence on finite phosphate resources.

Md Adim, Mohd Imran Siddiqui, Hasan Rameez, Izharul Haq Farooqi and Farrukh Basheer

Bridging Efficiency Gaps in ASEAN Agriculture: A Spatial SBMDEA Approach

Southeast Asia plays a strategic role in global rice production, yet agricultural performance across countries may be shaped not only by internal production conditions but also by spatial interaction mechanisms. This study investigates sustainable agricultural efficiency and spatial dependence across five major ASEAN rice-producing countries: Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and the Philippines over the period 2010–2023. Efficiency is evaluated using the Slacks-Based Measure Data Envelopment Analysis (SBM-DEA) framework, which accommodates multiple inputs, desirable outputs, and greenhouse gas emissions as an undesirable output. To capture spatial interdependencies, a distance-based spatial weight matrix is constructed using inverse distance weighting, followed by the estimation of Global Moran’s I to assess spatial autocorrelation. The results indicate that technical efficiency levels are generally high across countries, suggesting relatively effective internal resource utilization, while spatial efficiency exhibits greater variability, implying that production performance cannot be fully interpreted without considering spatial effects. The Moran’s I analysis reveals positive spatial autocorrelation, indicating that efficiency patterns display systematic spatial structures rather than purely independent national dynamics. These findings demonstrate that agricultural efficiency in regionally connected systems reflects both domestic production factors and geographically mediated influences. The study concludes that incorporating spatial dependence into efficiency evaluation provides a more comprehensive understanding of regional agricultural performance and offers a more appropriate analytical basis for policy formulation in interconnected agricultural systems.

Titin Dwi Aryanti, Suryanto and Evi Gravitiani

Ecotoxicological Insights into Heavy Metal Dynamics in Cauvery Delta Wetland Sediments: Geochemistry, Speciation and Ecological Risk Indices

Wetland sediments in deltaic ecosystems act both as sinks and secondary sources of heavy metals, thereby influencing contaminant mobility, bioavailability, and ecological risk. The present study investigated the distribution, speciation, mobility, and ecological risk of Fe, Ni, Pb, Cu, Cr, and Cd in surface sediments collected from 40 wetlands across the Cauvery Delta, India. The study integrates total metal concentration analysis, sequential extraction, contamination indices, risk assessment models, and multivariate statistical techniques to evaluate sediment quality and identify dominant sources of contamination. Sediment physicochemical properties indicated predominantly alkaline and carbonate-rich conditions, which strongly influenced metal partitioning and mobility. The overall decreasing order of mean metal concentrations was Fe > Pb > Ni > Cr > Cu > Cd. Contamination factor (CF), Pollution Load Index (PLI), and geoaccumulation index (Igeo) revealed generally low to moderate contamination for most metals, while Cd exhibited localized enrichment and emerged as the principal contaminant of concern. PLI values ranging from 1.07 to 1.29 indicated slight but consistent cumulative pollution across all wetlands. Sequential extraction analysis demonstrated that Fe was predominantly associated with stable residual fractions, whereas Cd showed comparatively higher association with exchangeable and carbonatebound fractions, indicating enhanced mobility and bioavailability. Risk Assessment Code (RAC) and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) further identified Cd, Pb, and Cr as ecologically significant metals with elevated remobilization potential under changing environmental conditions. High RAC and PERI values were particularly observed in wetlands located within Karur and Tiruchirappalli districts, indicating localized anthropogenic influence. Pearson correlation analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) suggested that Fe and Cr were primarily influenced by lithogenic processes, whereas Cd, Pb, and Cu were associated with mixed anthropogenic inputs including agricultural runoff, fertilizer application, urban discharge, and localized industrial activities. The findings demonstrate that although most wetlands remain moderately contaminated, Cd exhibits elevated mobility and ecological sensitivity, warranting targeted monitoring and management in identified hotspot regions. This study provides a comprehensive regional-scale assessment of heavy metal behavior in deltaic wetland sediments and contributes important baseline information for future wetland conservation and pollution management strategies.

K. P. Aakash and R. Mohanraj

Determinants of Household Waste Management Behavior in Urban Slum Communities: Evidence from Makassar City, Indonesia

Household solid waste management in urban slum settlements remains an important environmental and public health concern in developing countries. This study analyzed sociodemographic, environmental, and social factors associated with household waste management practices in an urban slum area of Makassar City, Indonesia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 106 households in Maccini Sombala Village using structured interviews and field observations. Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and binary logistic regression. Results showed that 61.3% of households had poor waste management practices, particularly in waste separation and household-scale processing/recycling. In the multivariable model, secondary education and elderly age were significantly associated with better household solid waste management practices (p < 0.05). Respondents with secondary education were nearly three times more likely to report good practices (OR = 2.92; 95% CI: 1.18–7.25), while elderly respondents were more than four times more likely to do so (OR = 4.59; 95% CI: 1.17–17.99). The measured environmental and social factors, including household sanitation, domestic wastewater drainage, clean water quality based on basic physical criteria, and perceived community clean-up activities, were not statistically significant. These findings suggest that household-level behavior change, particularly through practical environmental education, may be important for improving waste management practices in low-resource urban settings.

Muh. Fajaruddin Natsir, Erniwati Ibrahim, Anwar Mallongi, Owildan Wisudawan, Basir Rasyid, Anwar Daud and Syamsuar Manyulle

An Assessment of the Environmental and Social Impacts of Waste Management Practices in Omuthiya Town and Its Disposal Site, Oshikoto Region, Namibia

Rapid urbanization and population growth have intensified solid waste management challenges in many urban areas, particularly where infrastructure and institutional capacity are limited. This study assessed waste management practices and infrastructure in Omuthiya Town, Namibia, employed a case study research design and used mixed data collection methods. Quantitative data were collected through household surveys, while qualitative insights were obtained from interviews with local authority officials and residents as well as field observations. The findings indicate that although Omuthiya Town has made progress in waste collection services, major challenges remain. These include inadequate waste management infrastructure, low levels of waste separation and recycling, limited community participation, and weak regulatory enforcement. A heavy reliance on plastic bags for waste containment contributes to improper disposal and environmental pollution. Open waste burning, illegal dumping, and the absence of recycling facilities were identified as key drivers of environmental degradation and public health risks, particularly for communities living near the disposal site. The study highlights the urgent need for improved infrastructure, stronger policy enforcement, and community-based education programs to promote sustainable waste management practices.

Margaret Litungeni Johannes and Timoteus Kadhila

Acceptance Rate and Publication Time

Acceptance rate: approximately 20%
Initial editorial screening: median 15 days
First editorial decision: median 7 weeks
Online prepublication after acceptance: median 5 weeks
Final Publication: median 5 months after acceptance

Journal Metrics

Scopus CiteScore (2025): 2.1
SCImago Journal Rank (SJR) (2025) = 0.314 | Q3
NAAS Rating (2024) = 5.33

Abstracting and Indexing

Scopus
Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ)
Zoological Record (Clarivate)
GEOBASE (Engineering Village)
CAB Abstracts (CABI)
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS)
AGRIS (FAO)
CNKI Scholar (China National Knowledge Infrastructure)
EBSCO Environment Index
Pollution Abstracts (ProQuest)

All published articles are assigned Crossref DOIs