M. Bady, H. Mannaa, A. Orabi, A. Dawood, A. Khan, M. A. Khlifi
{"title":"Assessing heavy metal ecotoxicity in agricultural soils near a thermal power plant: insights from multiple risk indices","authors":"M. Bady, H. Mannaa, A. Orabi, A. Dawood, A. Khan, M. A. Khlifi","doi":"10.1007/s13762-026-07226-w","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13762-026-07226-w","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Soil contamination by trace elements near thermal power plants poses serious ecological and health challenges, particularly in agricultural regions. This study evaluates the impact of Assiut Thermal Power Plant emissions on surrounding agricultural soils through a comprehensive multi-index assessment. Concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn were analyzed, and contamination levels were quantified using contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and geo-accumulation index (I_geo). Potential ecological risk (PERI) and human health risk assessments were also conducted to gauge environmental and public health implications. Results revealed severe contamination with Cd (CF = 7.04) and Co (CF = 17.15), resulting in an average PERI of 334.8, indicating a very high ecological risk. Hotspot analysis revealed the highest contamination at downwind sites (S1, S5, S10), indicating deposition from plant emissions. Human health assessment showed that Cd was the primary contributor to non-carcinogenic risk, especially for children (HQ = 1.24). These findings underscore the importance of regular monitoring, emission control strategies, and soil remediation to mitigate long-term ecological and health impacts.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":589,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology","volume":"23 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147796954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Removal of copper and cadmium heavy metal ions from the aqueous solution using crosslinked polyacrylamide/polyethyleneimine hybrid nanocomposites","authors":"K. E. Lum, W. S. Chow","doi":"10.1007/s13762-026-07239-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13762-026-07239-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>In this study, polyacrylamide (PAM) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) blends were crosslinked with N,N′-methylene bis(acrylamide) (MBA; loading: 5 to 20 phr) in the presence of cellulose and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA). Two types of heavy metals, copper (II) and cadmium (II), were chosen for the adsorption experiments, with pH values ranging from 3 to 7 and initial heavy metal concentrations from 10 to 100 mg/L. The concentration of heavy metal ions was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Results showed that 15 phr of MBA was the optimum amount of crosslinking agent in PAM/PEI/Cel/nHA nanocomposites for Cu(II) and Cd(II) adsorption. The maximum adsorption of Cu(II) and Cd(II) was attained at pH 5 and pH 6, respectively. The adsorption capacity of PAM/PEI/Cel/nHA nanocomposites increased with higher initial concentrations of Cu(II) and Cd(II). The maximum adsorption capacity of PAM/PEI/Cel/nHA/MBA-15 nanocomposites was 270.27 mg/g for Cu(II) and 344.83 mg/g for Cd(II). Additionally, the adsorption processes of PAM/PEI/Cel/nHA/MBA-15 nanocomposites for Cu(II) and Cd(II) were well-fitted by both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, with the Freundlich model being more dominant. Overall, the adsorption capacity of PAM/PEI/Cel/nHA nanocomposites was improved by the hybridization of cellulose and nHA.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":589,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology","volume":"23 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147797032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Immobilization of laccase using metal–organic frameworks for simultaneous biodegradation and adsorption of Bisphenol A","authors":"R. Ghassemi, Z. Ghobadi Nejad, S. Yaghmaei","doi":"10.1007/s13762-026-07247-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13762-026-07247-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Bisphenol A is a well-known endocrine-disrupting chemical that threatens human health due to its presence in aquatic environments. Conventional water treatment methods are inadequate for eliminating micropollutants like Bisphenol A. Therefore, new treatment strategies are necessary to confront this challenge. Enzymes such as laccase offer a promising solution. However, free enzymes have limitations, including non-reusability and low operational stability. To overcome these drawbacks, enzyme immobilization is used. In this study, laccase was immobilized using a novel porous support that contributes to pollutant removal. An amino-functionalized zinc-based metal–organic framework was utilized to immobilize crude laccase produced by <i>Trametes</i> sp. Laccase was immobilized with an activity recovery of 64% and improved stability. The immobilized biocatalyst eliminated 91.5% of Bisphenol A, with an initial concentration of 20 ppm in 12 h. The enzyme contributed to 61.5% of the removal through biodegradation, while the remaining 30% was due to physical adsorption by the metal–organic framework.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture><span>The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.</span></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":589,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology","volume":"23 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147797197","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
V. I. F. Mabayo, N. E. Quimada, C. L. Palconite, L. L. Alfar
{"title":"Revisiting isotherm and kinetic models in dye adsorption: assumptions, limitations, and common misinterpretations","authors":"V. I. F. Mabayo, N. E. Quimada, C. L. Palconite, L. L. Alfar","doi":"10.1007/s13762-026-07253-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13762-026-07253-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Dye pollution from industrial effluents continues to raise environmental and health concerns, particularly because colored wastewater is difficult to treat with conventional methods. Among available treatment technologies, adsorption is widely regarded as one of the most efficient and economically feasible methods for dye removal. To interpret adsorption performance and infer possible adsorption behavior, equilibrium isotherm and kinetic models are routinely applied and are often treated as methodological requirements in adsorption studies. However, recurring misconceptions in the selection, fitting, and interpretation of these models remain evident in the dye adsorption literature. This review provides a critical reassessment of classical and extended isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Dubinin–Radushkevich, Redlich–Peterson, Sips, and Toth) as well as widely used kinetic models (pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion, Elovich, and Boyd). Beyond summarizing equations and assumptions, the review systematically identifies persistent interpretive patterns, including the overinterpretation of pseudo-second-order fitting as proof of chemisorption, the use of Dubinin–Radushkevich energy values as binary indicators of physical versus chemical adsorption, and the reliance on linearized forms and R<sup>2</sup> as primary criteria for model selection. By distinguishing statistical agreement from mechanistic validity and by outlining evidence-based boundaries for parameter interpretation, this work aims to provide clearer methodological guidance for adsorption modeling practice and to support more reliable analysis of dye removal systems.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":589,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology","volume":"23 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147796652","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Khan, A. Rehman, M. Anees, M. S. Al Tami, H. Naveed, M. Hussain, I. Naz
{"title":"Evaluation of plastic degradation potential of soil bacteria from waste sites: structural and functional characterization","authors":"M. Khan, A. Rehman, M. Anees, M. S. Al Tami, H. Naveed, M. Hussain, I. Naz","doi":"10.1007/s13762-026-07246-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13762-026-07246-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study characterized the plastic degradation potential of bacterial isolates from contaminated soils of Jarma and KUST. Bacteriological analysis identified <i>Pseudomonas</i> sp. (J1) as the dominant Gram-negative isolate, exhibiting robust growth (OD<sub>600</sub> = 0.454, 8.2 × 10<sup>8</sup> CFU/ml) in minimal salt media with µmax = 0.12 h<sup>−1</sup>, while <i>Bacillus</i> sp. (K1) showed biphasic growth (OD<sub>600</sub> = 0.219 at day 9). <i>Pseudomonas</i> sp. demonstrated superior degradation of canteen store department (CSD) plastic with 10.12% weight loss (<i>p</i> < 0.001 vs <i>Bacillus</i>’s 8.47%), forming extensive biofilms (> 85% coverage) and causing significant surface alterations visible in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed oxidative degradation markers (new O–H peak at 3367.98 cm<sup>−1</sup> and C = C bond formation at 1648.31 cm<sup>−1</sup>), with <i>Pseudomonas</i> showing more pronounced structural modifications. Molecular characterization confirmed both isolates harbored PETase genes (465 bp), and 16S rRNA phylogeny identified them as <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> and <i>Bacillus subtilis</i>. These results highlight <i>Pseudomonas</i> sp.’s enhanced plastic degradation efficiency, particularly on starch-based polymers (CSD plastic), attributed to its superior biofilm formation (µmax = 0.15 h<sup>−1</sup>) and enzymatic activity. The findings suggest these isolates hold promise for bioremediation applications, though further optimization of culture conditions and enzyme profiling is needed to enhance degradation rates for practical implementation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":589,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology","volume":"23 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147796797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Study the water treatment and fouling properties of polyvinyl alcohol/polychlorotrifluoroethylene Janus membrane in direct contact membrane distillation","authors":"H. Yari, M. Pakizeh, A. Dashti, M. P. Chenar","doi":"10.1007/s13762-026-07143-y","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13762-026-07143-y","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Membrane distillation is a promising technology for desalination; however, membrane fouling and pore wetting remain critical challenges that limit its large-scale application. In this study, a novel Janus membrane based on an omniphobic polychlorotrifluoroethylene substrate coated with a hydrophilic polyvinyl alcohol/catechol layer was developed for direct contact membrane distillation. The asymmetric architecture enables simultaneous enhancement of water vapor transport and resistance to fouling and wetting by combining a hydration-layer-forming hydrophilic surface with a low-surface-energy omniphobic support. As a result, the Janus membrane achieved a high pure water flux of 49.12 kg m<sup>−2</sup> h<sup>−1</sup>, outperforming the pure (37.25 kg m<sup>−2</sup> h<sup>−1</sup>), omniphobic (47.25 kg m<sup>−2</sup> h<sup>−1</sup>), and commercial membranes (34.48 kg m<sup>−2</sup> h<sup>−1</sup>). When treating a 35,000 ppm sodium chloride solution, a stable permeate flux of 45.25 kg m<sup>−2</sup> h<sup>−1</sup> with salt rejection exceeding 99% was obtained. Furthermore, the membrane exhibited superior resistance to organic and inorganic foulants, including humic acid, calcium salts, and surfactants. The enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic Janus design, in which the hydrophilic top layer suppresses foulant adhesion while the omniphobic substrate effectively prevents pore wetting. These results demonstrate the strong potential of polychlorotrifluoroethylene -based Janus membranes for advanced and practical desalination applications.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture><span>The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.</span></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":589,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology","volume":"23 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147796796","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Deep learning-based EfficientUNet semantic segmentation framework for accurate land cover classification using remote sensing imagery","authors":"V. Kirankumar, V. V. Satyanarayana Tallapragada","doi":"10.1007/s13762-026-07155-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13762-026-07155-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Dense human activities and seasonal changes make the process of identifying and monitoring land use and land cover a difficult task. Machine learning techniques and Remote Sensing technology are used to generate land cover maps as a remedy for these challenges. Nevertheless, these methods necessitate parameter tuning for supervised learning models and training samples. This research presents a novel deep learning based semantic segmentation model for the precise classification of land cover by RS images. Here, the stage of pre-processing is accomplished with a Dynamic Adaptive Spatial Range filter to enrich the visual appearance and quality of the input RS image. After pre-processing, the specific types of land covers are segmented using the Improved Twofold SwinFusion Transformer U-Net model to improve classification accuracy. Moreover, the ability of the proposed model is further improved by fine-tuning the parameters using Bobcat Brownian Motion Algorithm. The proposed deep learning-based EfficientUNet Semantic Segmentation system aims for efficient land cover classification, achieving superior performance with moderate complexity. As a result, the chief general accuracy is attained with the proposed method, with 97.51% in the land coverai dataset and 99.13% in the Mumbai dataset. The ITSFT-U-Net model’s effectiveness in classifying land cover was demonstrated by its accuracy. The outcomes are quantitatively contrasted with those of the most advanced DL models and related research.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":589,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology","volume":"23 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147796873","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
K. Boumaza, R. Marir, Z. Bilici, E. M. Bouchareb, N. Dizge
{"title":"Combined process of coagulation-flocculation and membrane filtration for fruit juice wastewater treatment using exopolysaccharide from Bacillus licheniformis","authors":"K. Boumaza, R. Marir, Z. Bilici, E. M. Bouchareb, N. Dizge","doi":"10.1007/s13762-026-07244-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13762-026-07244-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Water is the important processing medium used in fruit juice industries. Thus, these sectors have a high demand for water and require appropriate techniques to recycle the wastewater. The exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced from <i>Bacillus licheniformis</i> ISLM newly isolated from an Algerian hot spring was extracted and characterized using FTIR, SEM and XRD analysis. The effectiveness of the EPS as a biocoagulant for treating fruit juice waste water using combined process of coagulation<b>-</b>flocculation and membrane filtration was evaluated for the first time by changing pH and EPS concentrations. FTIR study of EPS revealed the presence of many functional groups such as hydroxyl and carbonyl groups. EPS exhibited a sheet-like and amorphous structure according to SEM and XRD analysis. The optimum pH and concentration values for the biocoagulant were 10 and 25 mg/L, respectively. The combined process of coagulation<b>-</b>flocculation and membrane filtration system attained final removal efficiencies of 43.7% for COD and 99.2% for turbidity, these results were superior to that shown by the chemical coagulants. The exopolysaccharide presented a high capacity for fruit juice wastewater treatment using this process. The results showed that produced EPS could be a candidate as an effective alternative to chemical coagulants in industrial wastewater treatment. Besides, the obtained results suggest promoting new environmental technology to improve wastewater treatment.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":589,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology","volume":"23 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147796798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
B. Kiani, M. Varnaseri, M. Elmi, P. Parivar, J. Sarhangzadeh, M. Esmaeilpour
{"title":"The effect of natural and artificial shades on reducing citizens’ exposure to ultraviolet radiation: a field study","authors":"B. Kiani, M. Varnaseri, M. Elmi, P. Parivar, J. Sarhangzadeh, M. Esmaeilpour","doi":"10.1007/s13762-026-07144-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13762-026-07144-x","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>This study aimed to evaluate the effect of tree shades and artificial structures on controlling ultraviolet waves for the first time in the historical city of Yazd, Iran. In this regard, ultraviolet waves were measured in places exposed to sunlight and in the shadows created by urban buildings, engineering structures, and various tree species using an ultraviolet meter. The results indicated broad-leaved trees provide more potent and appropriate protection against ultraviolet rays than coniferous trees. In addition, natural materials such as wood and reed are more suitable for artificial canopies than fabric. Trees and buildings with higher heights had a more significant effect on reducing exposure to ultraviolet rays. Mulberry trees with a height of seven meters had the highest ultraviolet protection factor (equal to 69), and Eldar pine trees had the lowest (equal to 9) among the green space trees. The ultraviolet protection factor in mixed stands of pine and elm significantly differed from the pure stands and was higher (p < 0.01). Using rows of trees on both sidewalks was more effective than planting on one side (p = 0.013). The results indicated the importance of artificial canopies and tree shadows for protecting citizens and tourists from ultraviolet radiation. In addition, the most protective modes for people were identified, and city managers can use them in the urban design of the historic city of Yazd and as a model for research in other cities worldwide.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":589,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology","volume":"23 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147796931","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Climate-change adaptation and ecological, economic, social sustainability: experiences in mountainous rural areas of southeastern China","authors":"G. C. Zhang, T. T. Hou, J. J. Lv, S. S. Shen","doi":"10.1007/s13762-026-07220-2","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s13762-026-07220-2","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Mountainous rural areas are particularly vulnerable to climate change, facing a range of cascading risks to ecological integrity, economic stability, and social cohesion. Although Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) is widely acknowledged as crucial for rural sustainability, its implementation is often hindered by complex socio-ecological dynamics and conflicting stakeholder interests. This study addresses these challenges by introducing and applying a participatory, multi-method assessment framework that combines qualitative stakeholder analysis with structured decision-support tools. Conducted in a representative mountainous rural area in China, the research employs a sequential mixed-method design: (1) SWOT analysis with local officials, villagers, entrepreneurs, and academics; (2) thematic synthesis of ecological, economic, and social barriers; and (3) co-development of adaptation roadmaps through multi-stakeholder workshops. This methodological study enables the identification of main barriers and facilitates the co-creation of six integrated adaptation pathways: (A1) afforestation and water conservation weirs, (A2) vertical ecological enrichment, (B1) ecological food and multi-seasonal tourism, (B2) policy-supported agroforestry, (C1) a dedicated CCA coordination office, and (C2) multi-channel knowledge sharing. The study demonstrates that local knowledge and the priorities of multiple stakeholders can be translated into actionable strategies, effectively bridging the gap between top-down policies and bottom-up realities. The proposed framework offers a replicable model for promoting climate-resilient and sustainable development in vulnerable mountainous areas worldwide.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":589,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology","volume":"23 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2026-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147738932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}