Next Sustainability最新文献

{"title":"Constructed wetlands as a nature-based solution for sustainable use of non-conventional water in arid and semi-arid regions: A scoping review","authors":"Abeer Albalawneh,&nbsp;Nizar Haddad","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2026.100348","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2026.100348","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Constructed wetlands (CWs) are increasingly recognized as a nature-based solution (NbS) for improving water quality and supporting circular water management in water-scarce settings. In this review, non-conventional water (NCW) refers to water sources such as greywater, municipal wastewater effluents, and agricultural drainage water that can be treated and reused.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This scoping review aimed to map CW applications for NCW treatment in arid and semi-arid regions, synthesize reported treatment performance, and evaluate reuse suitability, with a specific focus on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the Sudano-Sahel zone.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Following PRISMA-ScR guidance, literature was identified from major electronic databases and institutional repositories. Eligible studies evaluated CWs treating NCW in arid/semi-arid contexts. Extracted data included CW configuration, operational conditions, pollutant removal performance, and compliance with reuse criteria.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. CWs consistently achieved high removal of biochemical oxygen demand over 5 days (BOD₅) (85–92%), chemical oxygen demand (COD) (80–90%), and total suspended solids (TSS) (85–93%). Nutrient removal was moderate, with total nitrogen reductions of 60–75% and total phosphorus reductions of 55–65%. Fecal coliform reduction was generally 3–4 log units, frequently meeting WHO-aligned irrigation reuse thresholds. Long-term findings indicated reasonable operational stability, although clogging and salinity build-up remained recurrent constraints.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Framing CWs within an NbS lens highlights their dual value for pollution control and climate-adaptive water reuse in arid and semi-arid regions. Across MENA and Sudano-Sahel contexts, CWs show strong potential for irrigation-oriented reuse when properly designed and maintained. Future work for the study area should prioritize long-term multi-season field validation, optimization of nutrient and salinity management, and harmonized monitoring frameworks that also include emerging contaminants to strengthen safe scale-up.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100348"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148184236","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Socio-economic and one health impacts of pollution-induced land dispossession in the Niger-Delta Region, Nigeria","authors":"Lawrence Okoronkwo Udensi ,&nbsp;Esther Onyinyechi Udensi ,&nbsp;Etu Ndubuisi Okpara ,&nbsp;Samuel Nsikan Akpan ,&nbsp;Nwogu Ndudurim","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100237","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100237","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Land dispossession, frequently framed as “land grabbing,” constitutes a critical socio-environmental issue globally, with acute manifestations in resource-rich yet marginalized regions. In Nigeria’s Niger Delta, this phenomenon is closely associated with pollution from oil exploration, resulting in profound disruptions across human, animal, and environmental health domains. This study employed a qualitative methodology involving interviews, focus group discussions, and community narratives, with 75 purposively selected participants from Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom States; regions severely impacted by oil-related activities. Findings revealed extensive environmental degradation through oil spills, gas flaring, and contamination of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. These disruptions have undermined traditional livelihoods in agriculture and fisheries, heightened poverty and youth unemployment, and fostered social instability. Participants also reported suspected long-term health impacts, including respiratory ailments and cancers, particularly among vulnerable populations, though formal diagnoses were limited by poor healthcare access. Animal health concerns emerged through observations of declining livestock and fish populations linked to ecosystem contamination. Community responses included protest actions, legal challenges, and advocacy campaigns, yet interventions by oil companies and government agencies, often in the form of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, were largely viewed as inadequate and unsustainable. This study underscores the necessity of adopting a One Health approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health in addressing the multidimensional challenges of land dispossession. In conclusion, we recommend a One Health-informed, community-engaged governance framework integrating environmental restoration, livelihood diversification, and strengthening of healthcare as essential pathways for sustainable conflict resolution in the Niger Delta.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100237"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145799953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Techno-economic analysis of nuclear-powered urea production with commercial greenhouse","authors":"Anup Jwala Poudel,&nbsp;David S.-K. Ting,&nbsp;Rupp Carriveau","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100232","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100232","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the potential of integrating Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) into greenhouse operations and urea production to tackle rising energy demands and environmental concerns stemming from emissions in the food production sector. The research offers a comprehensive techno-economic assessment of a system utilizing SMRs to supply both heat and electricity to a greenhouse while generating sustainable urea fertilizer. The evaluation includes key metrics such as Levelized Cost of Urea (LCOU), Payback Period (PBT), Discounted Payback Period (DPB), and Internal Rate of Return (IRR). The analysis indicates a total capital expenditure of approximately 400 million USD, with the SMR representing 88 % of the cost. The LCOU is estimated at USD 1394 per metric ton, which is significantly higher than conventional market prices, leading to a prolonged PBT of 15.4 years and a lower IRR of 4.1 %. Sensitivity analyses demonstrate that fluctuations in urea prices and SMR capital costs significantly affect the system's financial viability. Despite the high initial costs, the SMR-powered system has the potential to reduce natural gas consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, thereby promoting long-term sustainability in agriculture. These findings emphasize how SMRs can deliver a cleaner, more sustainable energy solution for greenhouse heating and nitrogen fertilizer production, which are vital for supporting agricultural growth while minimizing environmental impact.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100232"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145799950","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Combining meta-analysis and local assessment: An in-depth approach on biochar use towards soil carbon sequestration","authors":"Jhon Kenedy Moura Chagas,&nbsp;Cícero Célio de Figueiredo","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100243","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100243","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluates the impact of biochar, produced by valorizing waste sewage sludge, on soil carbon (C) sequestration, combining a global meta-analysis with a four-year tropical field trial. Biochar application can enhance soil C and mitigate climate change, contributing to sustainable resource management. The meta-analysis of 586 paired comparisons from 169 studies showed increases in total C (TC) and various soil C fractions post-biochar application. In order to compare global results with local data, the effects of sewage sludge biochar (SSB) obtained at contrasting temperatures were evaluated in a field experiment conducted over five years. The field trial using SSB pyrolyzed at 300°C (SSB300) and 500°C (SSB500) showed modest TC increases (7.7 % with SSB300, 0.7 % with SSB500) and minimal changes in other C fractions. Importantly, the absolute TC gain with SSB300 surpassed those from practices like no-till farming. These results underscore the need to tailor biochar applications and optimize pyrolysis conditions to local settings to improve soil C sequestration. Adopting such context-specific strategies can enhance waste recycling, promote sustainable agriculture, and aid in climate change mitigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100243"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145840877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A unified forecasting model for solar irradiation and wind speed using ground-based data","authors":"Arisa Masuda ,&nbsp;Hana Hebishima ,&nbsp;Shin-ichi Inage","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100225","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100225","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The objective of this study is to realize short-term forecasting of time-varying solar irradiation and wind speed through a unified neural-network-based algorithm. In previous work, a neural-network forecasting model for solar irradiation—benchmarked against the Smart Persistence Model based on the Clear Sky Index (CSI)—demonstrated stable and accurate performance. In the present study, this framework was extended to wind speed forecasting by introducing a new indicator, the Average Index (AI), which plays an analogous role to CSI. Solar forecasting was applied to the Kyushu region, while wind forecasting was conducted for Okinawa and Iwate Prefectures, where high wind-power potential exists. Using meteorological data from the Japan Meteorological Agency, the proposed method achieved high accuracy and demonstrated strong agreement with the Smart Persistence Model. The integration of AI into the neural-network system enabled reliable short-term forecasting of wind speed, confirming that solar irradiation and wind speed can both be predicted within a single, unified algorithm. This framework provides a robust foundation for multi-source renewable-energy forecasting and intelligent grid management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100225"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145658616","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Circularity in polyethylene waste management through multidimensional integration","authors":"Anil Kumar Vinayak,&nbsp;Garima Chauhan","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2026.100247","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2026.100247","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely produced plastic worldwide, yet remains among the least effectively recycled, highlighting a persistent gap between production volume and material circularity. This review addresses three central questions: (i) which structural and systemic constraints most strongly limit PE circularity across its life cycle, (ii) how these constraints interact to influence recyclate quality and material flows, and (iii) to what extent existing recycling strategies respond to these constraints in practice. The review integrates peer-reviewed literature and open-access policy and technical reports published between 2000 and 2025 with emphasis on studies after 2020, focusing on PE-specific material properties, additive systems, degradation behavior, recycling performance, and governance structures. Studies were included if they explicitly addressed PE and provided empirical, technical, or policy-relevant insights into one or more of these constraint domains. Using a systematic constraint-mapping methodology, six interdependent technical, economic, regulatory, and behavioral constraints were identified that collectively limit recyclate quality, restrict closed-loop applications, and reinforce persistent downcycling. Recycling technologies were evaluated both on technical performance and their capacity to function under these systemic constraints. The findings demonstrate that restricted circularity is driven less by technological gaps than by misalignment between polymer design, additive complexity, market incentives, and policy frameworks. These insights have direct practical and policy relevance, highlighting the need for quality-oriented recycling metrics, harmonized regulations, and design-for-recycling strategies. A focused case study of Alberta, Canada, illustrates how regional infrastructure, regulatory conditions, and investment patterns shape practical recycling performance and reinforce the importance of context-sensitive circular economy interventions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100247"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145976985","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bibliometric analysis of agroforestry practices and research trends among smallholder farmers in the context of climate change","authors":"Komang Ariyanto","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2026.100361","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2026.100361","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Despite the crucial role of agroforestry in climate action, there has been limited systematic focus on the adoption of agroforestry by smallholder farmers. This bibliometric analysis explored smallholder engagement with agroforestry as a climate adaptation and mitigation strategy by analyzing 455 peer-reviewed articles (2014–2023) from the Crossref database. Using VOSviewer and Excel, we evaluated the publication trends, citations, and keyword cooccurrences. The findings reveal a surge in academic interest peaking in 2021, emphasizing concepts such as carbon sequestration and climate-smart agriculture. Three main thematic clusters emerged: (1) climate-smart agriculture and carbon storage, (2) biodiversity and ecosystem services, and (3) socioeconomic adaptation and resilience. Empirically, practices such as alley cropping and multistrata home gardens dominate, particularly in tropical regions (Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa). Despite growing research, critical gaps persist in the economic, geographic, and social dimensions, specifically poverty, gender, and spatial inequality. This study underscores the need for policies that ensure secure land tenure, targeted training, carbon market access, and gender-inclusive approaches to scale up agroforestry and enhance long-term climate resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100361"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148184238","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Design and evaluation of a scalable decentralised greywater treatment technology for reuse, towards climate and WASH resilient urban communities","authors":"Samuel Adjei-Nimoh ,&nbsp;Eugene Appiah-Effah ,&nbsp;Kofi Akodwaa-Boadi ,&nbsp;Barbara Gyapong-Korsah","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2026.100246","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2026.100246","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the context of water scarcity and the post-COVID-19 pandemic, treating greywater from handwashing stations for reuse is essential and climate-resilient. This study evaluated sand and gravel filters with passive chlorination for greywater treatment. Greywater from a standalone handwashing station at Ejisu, Ghana, was collected as influent. Influent and filtrates were analysed for physico-chemical and microbial quality using American Public Health Association (APHA) and HACH protocols. Setups I and II, utilising sand media, effectively improved the physico-chemical quality and pathogen removal. Significant differences in filtrate quality were observed for BOD₅, nitrate, turbidity, and COD removal (p &lt; 0.05) across all treatment setups. Post-treatment analysis revealed phosphate concentrations in the filtrates of Setups I, II, and the control were all within regulatory limits. Filter run time was estimated as 44 days for Setup I, 45 days for Setup II, and 53 days for the control (Setup III). A paired-sample t-test indicated a significant difference in flow rates and filter run times across all treatment setups. Treated water from Setup I was the most suitable for handwashing, highlighting the effectiveness of low-cost greywater treatment technologies and the importance of media selection and system design. Its simplicity makes it ideal for schools, healthcare facilities, informal settlements, and during WASH emergencies. To scale-up the technology, modular designs, locally sourced materials, and community training for operation and maintenance should be prioritised.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100246"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145938877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Corrigendum to “Effect of environmental exposure on long-term tensile strength of tin slag polymer concrete” [Next Sustain. 5 (2025) 100139]","authors":"Muhamad Soffi Bin Manda ,&nbsp;Mohd Ruzaimi Mat Rejab ,&nbsp;Shukur Abu Hassan ,&nbsp;Mat Uzir Bin Wahit ,&nbsp;Joseph Selvi Binoj ,&nbsp;Brailson Mansingh Bright ,&nbsp;Siti Safarah Binti Amirnuddin ,&nbsp;Alamry Ali ,&nbsp;Kheng Lim Goh","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2026.100252","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2026.100252","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100252"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037961","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Differential impact of fire on tree diversity, composition, structure and carbon stock in tropical savanna","authors":"Shovasish Karna ,&nbsp;Shanmuganathan Jayakumar","doi":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100229","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nxsust.2025.100229","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tropical savannas are characterized as a stable and fire-dependent biome, in which recurrent fire is a prominent feature. Fire frequency stands out as one of the most influential parameters in the savanna fire regime. In Asia, savannas are often misclassified as derived or degraded forests, India is no exception. Due to its patchy distribution, longstanding confusion over the vegetation type, little scientific attention was paid to the ecological and compositional aspects of savanna concerning fire frequency. Understanding the tree community dynamics concerning fire frequency has immense potential, particularly in the Indian context. This study was conducted in the savanna ecosystem of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR), Western Ghats, to understand the long-term response of trees to fire frequency. A fire frequency map of the savanna spanning 33 years (from 1990 to 2022) was generated from Landsat satellite imagery. As per fire frequency, the composite map was stratified into fifteen different fire frequency classes (F0-F14). Furthermore, stratified random sampling was done to examine tree parameters. Parameters such as tree density, diversity, species richness, and basal area exhibited significant differences across fire frequency groups. Conversely, tree above-ground biomass and carbon stock showed non-significant changes concerning fire frequency. Species composition, visualized through non-metric multidimensional scaling, revealed two distinct clusters between unburned and high-fire frequency groups. Additionally, fire frequency significantly impacted the regeneration process, with the highest proportion of species in the moderate fire frequency group exhibiting good and fair regeneration, compared to the lowest proportion in the unburned group. The exhibited structural and compositional changes in tree communities in the savanna ecosystem of STR underscored the impacts of fire frequency on biodiversity conservation and call for holistic management of forest fires.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100960,"journal":{"name":"Next Sustainability","volume":"7 ","pages":"Article 100229"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145799952","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}