{"title":"Water safety assessment and related health concerns of four districts of nagaland: a physicochemical and statistical investigation","authors":"Senchumbeni Yanthan, Akito I. Sema, Deepak Das, Swagata Goswami, Diwakar Tiwari, Ananta Saikia, Jhimli Bhattacharyya","doi":"10.1007/s12665-026-13112-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-026-13112-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Access to safe drinking water remains a persistent challenge in Nagaland, India, due to limited infrastructure, rapid urbanization, and sparse monitoring of water resources. This study evaluates the quality of drinking water across four districts by analysing 28 samples collected from rivers, streams, and wells, considering 13 key physicochemical parameters: pH, temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), total hardness (TH), nickel (Ni), aluminium (Al), sulphate (SO₄²⁻), phosphate (PO₄³⁻), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and total organic carbon (TOC). Water Quality Index (WQI) and Pearson correlation analysis were applied to identify dominant factors and interdependencies. Most parameters complied with BIS standards; however, aluminium and nickel exceeded permissible limits in several rural sites, highlighting potential long-term neurological and systemic health concerns, though causal effects are not claimed. WQI values ranged from 10.5 (excellent) to 90.9 (very poor), reflecting substantial spatial variation, particularly in Phek, Peren, and Kiphire. Correlation patterns indicate that water quality is largely influenced by physical parameters such as pH, TDS, and EC, while aluminium and nickel drive localized contamination. This study establishes a first multi-district, statistically integrated baseline of drinking-water quality in Nagaland, supporting future monitoring and evidence-based interventions. The findings provide critical insight for targeted water-safety management and priority actions to mitigate contamination in both rural and urban areas.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"85 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s12665-026-13112-y.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148837648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bibliometric analysis of groundwater remediation research in China and the United States: a comparative insight","authors":"Xinqi Hu, Wengeng Cao, Wei Zhang, Haihua Wang, Sheng Xu, Kejia Ning, Shuqing Yao","doi":"10.1007/s12665-026-13080-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-026-13080-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The United States and China were the two most productive countries in global groundwater pollution remediation research, having accumulated substantial findings and practical experience through sustained funding and long-term scientific investment. However, a comprehensive comparative analysis of their research landscapes remained lacking. This study employed bibliometric methods to systematically examine multiple dimensions of groundwater remediation research in both countries over the period 2016–2025, including publication output, journal distribution, core scholars, leading institutions, and funding structures. It visualized research themes and hotspots in both countries through visualization techniques and statistical analysis. The results revealed that both nations ranked as the top two contributors globally in total publication volume during this period, with the U.S. maintaining a higher citation impact per paper. In China, the top 10 universities and research institutes accounted for approximately half of the national output, focusing on remediation materials and microscopic mechanisms under a centralized funding regime dominated by national-level foundations. Conversely, the U.S. fostered a collaborative research ecosystem integrating federal agencies, national laboratories, and universities, characterized by a focus on emerging contaminants and radioactive contaminant remediation, supported by autonomous funding from multiple federal departments. Furthermore, this study examined the heterogeneity in groundwater contamination profiles and regulatory demands between the two nations, alongside differences in funding models, and discussed implications for future development strategies, while acknowledging the inherent limitations of the bibliometric approach. This work provided valuable insights for researchers and policymakers to identify research landscape and optimize strategic layouts in groundwater pollution remediation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"85 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s12665-026-13080-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148837584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jawad Rafiq, Israa S. Abu-Mahfouz, Konstantinos Chavanidis, Panagiotis Kirmizakis
{"title":"Structural and thermal analysis of geothermal prospectivity in the Midyan Basin, NEOM, Saudi Arabia","authors":"Jawad Rafiq, Israa S. Abu-Mahfouz, Konstantinos Chavanidis, Panagiotis Kirmizakis","doi":"10.1007/s12665-026-13116-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-026-13116-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The Midyan Basin in the NEOM region of northwestern Saudi Arabia is a promising yet underexplored geothermal province situated within the tectonically active Red Sea Rift and Gulf of Aqaba transform system. Despite evidence of elevated regional heat flow and shallow Curie depths, the structural controls governing geothermal fluid circulation remain poorly constrained. This study identifies structurally controlled geothermal targets by integrating remote sensing, airborne geophysics, and field observations within a unified exploration framework. Multi-temporal Landsat-8 imagery acquired during six months of the year 2024 was used to derive land surface temperature (LST) through radiance-to-brightness temperature conversion and NDVI-based emissivity correction. Surface structural lineaments were interpreted from multidirectional hillshade models derived from a 30-m digital elevation model (DEM), while subsurface fault systems were delineated from airborne magnetic data using tilt-derivative analysis. Fault fracture density (FFD) mapping identified structurally enhanced permeability zones, which were integrated with persistent LST anomalies to delineate geothermal prospectivity. The analysis identified 5,809 surface lineaments and 1,262 basement-rooted magnetic lineaments, both dominated by NW–SE and NE–SW structural trends associated with the Red Sea Rift and Gulf of Aqaba transform system. Geothermal prospectivity is concentrated within discrete basement-rooted fault corridors rather than being uniformly distributed across the basin. The highest-confidence targets occur along the western and northwestern coastal escarpments, where high surface and subsurface fracture densities spatially coincide with persistent multi-season thermal anomalies, indicating enhanced permeability and structurally controlled heat transfer. Three priority geothermal target zones (Surface Zones A, B, and C and corresponding Subsurface Zones A′, B′, and C′) were identified, with Zone B/B′ representing the most prospective area owing to its strong structural continuity across surface and subsurface datasets. Field observations of dense fracture networks, fault-controlled granite–carbonate contacts, and subvertical dike swarms further corroborate the interpreted permeability pathways. Although direct geothermal manifestations and drilling data are not yet available, the integrated structural, thermal, and field evidence demonstrates that the Midyan Basin possesses favorable geological conditions for both hydrothermal resources and Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS). The proposed workflow provides a robust, cost-effective screening approach for reducing exploration uncertainty and prioritizing geothermal targets. It also guides future geothermal exploration and development within NEOM.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"85 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s12665-026-13116-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148783113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Eva Pavo-Fernández, Theocharis A. Plomaritis, Juan Montes, Xavier Sánchez-Artús, Vicente Gracia, Benjamí Calvillo, Gorka Solana, Manel Grifoll
{"title":"Evaluating coastal dune vulnerability to tropical cyclone forcing using numerical modeling in a data-scarce region","authors":"Eva Pavo-Fernández, Theocharis A. Plomaritis, Juan Montes, Xavier Sánchez-Artús, Vicente Gracia, Benjamí Calvillo, Gorka Solana, Manel Grifoll","doi":"10.1007/s12665-026-13101-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-026-13101-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Sandy coastlines are becoming increasingly susceptible to cyclone-induced flooding and erosion as a result of global change. The assessment of these processes, however, is particularly challenging in data-scarce regions such as Mozambique, where limited topographic and hydrodynamic data restrict robust model calibration and validation. This study evaluates the protective capacity of dunes against a range of storm and scenarios of Mean Water Level (MWL) variation, using Cyclone Eloise in Mozambique as a case study. An XBeach 1DV model in surfbeat mode was employed to simulate the hydrodynamic and morphological response of two distinct beach profiles, one reflective and one more dissipative, under different scenarios that combined varying dune heights, storms with different return periods, and MWL variations, resulting in 400 combinations. The results revealed non-linear threshold relations of dune stability, identifying a critical dune height of approximately 3 m, below which dune failure is likely under most MWL-increase conditions. The capacity of dunes to withstand storm impacts is largely determined by their height. However, higher water levels dramatically increase the risk of failure, transforming a medium-sized (3 m) dune from collision regime to inundation. Although dissipative beach profiles possess a greater intrinsic ability to resist erosion and maintain their form, this advantage weakens during extreme cyclone events. The findings in the study area provide critical thresholds for nature-based coastal protection, underscoring the necessity of maintaining dune heights above 3 m to ensure long-term defence in a changing climate.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"85 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s12665-026-13101-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782904","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
R.B. Alkhayat, Mohammed M. Mustafa, Taha Yaseen Wais, Berivan F. Namq, Dilshad Salih Ismael
{"title":"Radiogenic heat production as an indicator for geothermal energy exploration in Kurdistan Region, Iraq","authors":"R.B. Alkhayat, Mohammed M. Mustafa, Taha Yaseen Wais, Berivan F. Namq, Dilshad Salih Ismael","doi":"10.1007/s12665-026-13096-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-026-13096-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The apportionment of naturally occurring radionuclides (<sup>238</sup>U, <sup>232</sup>Th, and <sup>40</sup>K) within granite samples supplies essential data related to heat generation and thermal properties of the crust. Radiogenic heat production (RHP) was estimated in this work for granite rocks gathered from the Raparin region within Kurdistan, Iraq. A total of 45 granite samples were examined through HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry to evaluate the concentration levels of <sup>238</sup>U, <sup>232</sup>Th, and <sup>40</sup>K. The radionuclide concentrations displayed substantial discrepancy across the investigated rock samples, indicating variation in fundamental enrichment and geological development within the granitoid bodies. The average value of RHP is 2.55 µW m<sup>− 3</sup> and the range varied from 1.72 to 3.76 µW m<sup>− 3</sup>. The obtained RHP values recommended moderate radiogenic heat contribution. The contribution of three nuclides to total heat production is sequenced as <sup>238</sup>U> <sup>232</sup>Th> <sup>40</sup>K. The heterogeneous distribution patterns of the radionuclides and RHP were revealed through spatial analysis. Thus, the differentiation in magmatic and irregularity in regional geology could impact the thermal properties of the Zagros structure. Finally, this study provides advanced baseline radiogenic information for granite rocks for the Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt and contributes a new database for limited geothermal for the Kurdistan region of Iraq.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"85 15","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s12665-026-13096-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148752187","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Integrating deep neural network with elastoplastic analysis: a hybrid approach for slope stability analysis","authors":"Yibiao Liu, Chenhui Jia","doi":"10.1007/s12665-026-13107-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-026-13107-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Conventional data-driven methods for slope stability analysis often exhibit an over-reliance on data while neglecting underlying physical principles. To address this limitation, this study proposes a physics-informed neural network (PINN) framework that integrates a neural network surrogate with the elastoplastic deformation mechanism of soil slopes. The governing equations incorporating the elastoplastic constitutive model based on the Mohr–Coulomb yield criterion, along with the boundary conditions, are embedded into the training framework of the PINN. The PINN functions as a surrogate model that requires no pre-constructed training dataset and automatically satisfies both the governing equations and the boundary conditions. Consequently, the developed PINN can directly predict the displacement field of a slope and automatically derive the associated stress–strain fields that comply with the deformation mechanism. These outputs are coupled with the multi-initial point sequential quadratic programming (MSQP) algorithm and the slip surface stress analysis (SSSA) method, enabling the efficient identification of the critical slip surface and the calculation of the corresponding factor of safety (FOS). The proposed method is validated through two illustrative examples. Comparisons of the results with those from commercial software confirm the high accuracy of the proposed method in predicting the stress–strain response and the FOS. This study provides a data-driven and physics-informed paradigm for slope stability analysis grounded in clear physical mechanisms.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"85 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s12665-026-13107-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148751679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Uncertainty propagation and its impact on earth-fill dam failures","authors":"D. D. Övenler, H. Zaifoglu, A. M. Yanmaz","doi":"10.1007/s12665-026-13071-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-026-13071-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Dam failures represent a significant hazard to downstream, particularly when combined with extreme hydrological inputs and uncertainties in breach development. In this study, a comprehensive hydrological and dam breach modeling framework was applied to the Kanlikoy Dam in Cyprus. The HEC-HMS model was calibrated with the 2010 Flood event. Subsequently, a comprehensive sensitivity analysis identified the Curve Number (CN) and Muskingum K as the most influential parameters. Uncertainty analysis produced maximum and minimum inflow hydrographs for both the calibrated hydrograph and 100-year return period hydrograph. These hydrographs were coupled with probabilistic overtopping and piping failure simulations in McBreach, where breach width, side slopes, failure mode, and formation time were sampled stochastically. The probabilistic dam breach framework was then applied to evaluate flood responses at probabilistic breach scenarios of 1%, 10%, 50%, and 90%, capturing variability in breach processes. The resulting flood extent, flood depth, flow velocity, and flood hazard maps were generated as direct outputs of these simulations, driven by inflow conditions derived from a 100-year rainfall event and accounting for uncertainty through minimum and maximum inflow hydrographs. Maximum inflow conditions generated significantly larger inundation areas and higher flood depths, especially for low-probability events. However, the results also showed that frequent events exhibited greater sensitivity in hazard classification, as small inflow variations can lead to notable changes in hazard levels. Overall, the hydrological uncertainty affects both extreme-event consequences and the reliability of flood hazard mapping for more frequent events.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"85 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s12665-026-13071-4.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148751745","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mapping global trends in landslide susceptibility research using geospatial technologies","authors":"Maryati Sri, Yusuf Daud, Kasim Muhammad","doi":"10.1007/s12665-026-13026-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-026-13026-9","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study maps the global landscape of geospatial-based landslide susceptibility research through a bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed publications from 2015 to 2025. OpenRefine was used for metadata cleaning and VOSviewer version 1.6.20 was applied for keyword co-occurrence and country co-authorship mapping. A total of 2,002 articles were identified, with a clear increase in publication output after 2019. The analysis identified five main thematic clusters: remote sensing and geospatial technologies, machine learning-based vulnerability modeling, geotechnics and slope dynamics, multi-hazard approaches and climate adaptation, and GIS-based empirical approaches. China, India, Italy, and the United States emerged as the main contributors in publication output, citation performance, and collaboration strength, while Remote Sensing, Landslides, and Natural Hazards were the leading publication outlets. These findings suggest an emerging shift from conventional GIS-based mapping to an integrated Geospatial-AI approach, supported by big earth data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. This study highlights the need for cross-regional collaboration, multi-source data integration, and transparent predictive models for environmental risk reduction.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"85 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s12665-026-13026-9.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148751680","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Reactive magnesium oxide-driven soil carbonation: evidence from CO2 fluxes, inorganic carbon dynamics, and microbial community shifts","authors":"Yueming Zhu, Kangning Jin, Ping Niu, Zhengtao Shen, Lingyi Tang","doi":"10.1007/s12665-026-13035-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s12665-026-13035-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Reactive magnesium oxide (MgO), characterized by its high reactivity, large specific surface area, and mesoporous structure, can rapidly sequester CO<sub>2</sub> through hydration-carbonation reactions. Hence, MgO is a promising material for carbon sequestration. However, the effects of MgO on soil CO₂ fluxes and carbon storage dynamics remain unveiled. In this study, a 180-day incubation experiment was conducted to assess the effects of MgO with different effective contents (92%, 95%, 99%) applied at 3% w/w on soil CO<sub>2</sub> flux, soil inorganic carbon (SIC), organic carbon (SOC) pools, and soil microbial communities. The MgO addition led to a net CO<sub>2</sub> uptake and increased soil pH from 6.9 to above 9.3. Higher effective MgO content induced greater cumulative CO<sub>2</sub> absorption, but resulted in slower carbonation rates due to lower reactivity. Among the tested materials, the MgO with 95% effective content achieved a balance between the carbonation rate and SIC accumulation. The δ¹³C signatures of SIC confirmed that most newly sequestered SIC originated from atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub>. In addition, the MgO with 99% effective content significantly reduced bacterial diversity but enhanced fungal richness and diversity. These findings highlight the critical role of MgO reactivity and effective content in regulating carbonation kinetics and provide insights into the environmental implications of MgO-based soil carbon sequestration.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":542,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Earth Sciences","volume":"85 14","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s12665-026-13035-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148751955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}