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Search Results (981)

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Keywords = land-based pollution

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22 pages, 1597 KB  
Article
The Plastic Signature: Microplastic Ingestion and Phthalate Exposure in Parapenaeus longirostris from Three Tyrrhenian Sites (Mediterranean Sea)
by Laura Ciaralli, Sara Vencato, Giuseppe Andrea de Lucia, Tommaso Valente, Eleonora Monfardini, Giovanni Libralato, Loredana Manfra, Martina Radicioli, Cecilia Silvestri, Sandro Dattilo, Paolo Maria Riccobene, Giorgia Gioacchini, Daniela Berto, Valentina Lombardi, Mariacristina Cocca and Marco Matiddi
Microplastics 2025, 4(4), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics4040067 - 30 Sep 2025
Abstract
Microplastic pollution is pervasive in marine ecosystems and poses a growing threat to marine organisms and human health. This study simultaneously investigates microplastic ingestion and phthalate exposure in Parapenaeus longirostris, a commercially valuable and ecologically relevant Mediterranean crustacean occupying an intermediate trophic [...] Read more.
Microplastic pollution is pervasive in marine ecosystems and poses a growing threat to marine organisms and human health. This study simultaneously investigates microplastic ingestion and phthalate exposure in Parapenaeus longirostris, a commercially valuable and ecologically relevant Mediterranean crustacean occupying an intermediate trophic position. Specimens were collected from three coastal areas in the central Tyrrhenian Sea (Western Mediterranean): near the Tiber River mouth, one of the most polluted rivers in Italy, and two additional sites to the north and south. The frequency of individuals with ingested microplastics varied among locations: 78% near the Tiber River, 64% at site S, and 38% at site N, reflecting anthropogenic pressure gradients. Analyses confirmed the lower occurrence at site N, indicating higher ingestion near land-based pollution sources. Ingested microplastic polymer types varied among sites, reflecting location-specific contamination. Phthalates were present in shrimp muscle at all sites (5–1122 ng/g w.w.) with the highest average concentration (68.26 ± 55.74 ng/g) at the site with the highest microplastic ingestion. Although no statistical correlation was found, the similar spatial distribution of microplastics and phthalates suggests a potential link influenced by local pollution and individual variability. These findings provide novel evidence of microplastic and phthalate contamination in P. longirostris, highlighting its role as a trophic connector mediating contaminant transfer through the food web. While current levels suggest no potential risk to human health, continued monitoring and further studies on exposure along trophic pathways are recommended. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Microplastics)
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27 pages, 66863 KB  
Article
How Do Land Use/Cover Changes Influence Air Quality in Türkiye? A Satellite-Based Assessment
by Mehmet Ali Çelik, Adile Bilik, Muhammed Ernur Akiner and Dessalegn Obsi Gemeda
Land 2025, 14(10), 1945; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14101945 - 25 Sep 2025
Abstract
Air pollution critically impacts global health, climate change, and ecosystem balance. In Türkiye, rapid population growth, urban expansion, and industrial activities lead to significant land use and cover changes, negatively affecting air quality. This study examined the relationship between land use and land [...] Read more.
Air pollution critically impacts global health, climate change, and ecosystem balance. In Türkiye, rapid population growth, urban expansion, and industrial activities lead to significant land use and cover changes, negatively affecting air quality. This study examined the relationship between land use and land cover changes and six key pollutants (sulfur dioxide, ozone, aerosol index, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and formaldehyde) using TROPOMI/Sentinel-5P and European Space Agency Climate Change Initiative data between 2018 and 2024. Satellite-based remote sensing techniques, MODIS data, land surface temperature, and Normalized Vegetation Index analyses were employed. The findings revealed that nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide emissions increase with urban expansion and traffic density in metropolitan areas (Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir), while agriculture and deforestation increase aerosol index levels in inland areas. Additionally, photochemical reactions increased surface ozone in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions. At the same time, sulfur dioxide and formaldehyde concentrations reached high levels in highly industrialized and metropolitan cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. This study highlights the role of green infrastructure in improving air quality and provides data-based recommendations for sustainable land management and urban planning policies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers on Land Use, Impact Assessment and Sustainability)
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21 pages, 1819 KB  
Review
Research Progress on the Utilization of Semi-Dry Calcium-Based Desulfurization Dross in China
by Min Pan, Ruiying Wang, Shejiao Yan, Xiangqian Du, Zhenxing Yin, Guangchao Wu, Jiamao Li and Canhua Li
Materials 2025, 18(19), 4455; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18194455 - 24 Sep 2025
Viewed by 59
Abstract
As a solid waste generated during the desulfurization process of coal-fired power plants, the output of desulfurization dross is increasing year by year. If not properly treated, it may occupy land and potentially pollute the environment. This article reviews the physicochemical properties of [...] Read more.
As a solid waste generated during the desulfurization process of coal-fired power plants, the output of desulfurization dross is increasing year by year. If not properly treated, it may occupy land and potentially pollute the environment. This article reviews the physicochemical properties of desulfurization dross and the progress in its resource utilization. It specifically focuses on the application potential of semi-dry desulfurization dross, emphasizing how its comprehensive resource utilization can reduce environmental pollution and generate considerable economic benefits for related industries. It should be noted, however, that the leaching of heavy metals and the strong alkalinity of desulfurization dross may pose environmental risks such as soil and groundwater contamination. Current research still requires further improvement in the systematic assessment and management strategies of these risks. This review highlights the need to optimize pretreatment technologies for stabilizing desulfurization dross and enhance environmental risk management, to facilitate its large-scale and high-value utilization. This article also looks toward the research directions for semi-dry calcium-based desulfurization dross in the future, aiming to provide a reference for the sustainable development and environmental protection of semi-dry desulfurization dross. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advances in Sustainable Materials and Products)
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18 pages, 7743 KB  
Article
Improved Daytime Cloud Detection Algorithm in FY-4A’s Advanced Geostationary Radiation Imager
by Xiao Zhang, Song-Ying Zhao and Rui-Xuan Tang
Atmosphere 2025, 16(9), 1105; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16091105 - 20 Sep 2025
Viewed by 227
Abstract
Cloud detection is an indispensable step in satellite remote sensing of cloud properties and objects under the influence of cloud occlusion. Nevertheless, interfering targets such as snow and haze pollution are easily misjudged as clouds for most of the current algorithms. Hence, a [...] Read more.
Cloud detection is an indispensable step in satellite remote sensing of cloud properties and objects under the influence of cloud occlusion. Nevertheless, interfering targets such as snow and haze pollution are easily misjudged as clouds for most of the current algorithms. Hence, a robust cloud detection algorithm is urgently needed, especially for regions with high latitudes or severe air pollution. This paper demonstrated that the passive satellite detector Advanced Geosynchronous Radiation Imager (AGRI) onboard the FY-4A satellite has a great possibility to misjudge the dense aerosols in haze pollution as clouds during the daytime, and constructed an algorithm based on the spectral information of the AGRI’s 14 bands with a concise and high-speed calculation. This study adjusted the previously proposed cloud mask rectification algorithm of Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), rectified the MODIS cloud detection result, and used it as the accurate cloud mask data. The algorithm was constructed based on adjusted Fisher discrimination analysis (AFDA) and spectral spatial variability (SSV) methods over four different underlying surfaces (land, desert, snow, and water) and two seasons (summer and winter). This algorithm divides the identification into two steps to screen the confident cloud clusters and broken clouds, which are not easy to recognize, respectively. In the first step, channels with obvious differences in cloudy and cloud-free areas were selected, and AFDA was utilized to build a weighted sum formula across the normalized spectral data of the selected bands. This step transforms the traditional dynamic-threshold test on multiple bands into a simple test of the calculated summation value. In the second step, SSV was used to capture the broken clouds by calculating the standard deviation (STD) of spectra in every 3 × 3-pixel window to quantify the spectral homogeneity within a small scale. To assess the algorithm’s spatial and temporal generalizability, two evaluations were conducted: one examining four key regions and another assessing three different moments on a certain day in East China. The results showed that the algorithm has an excellent accuracy across four different underlying surfaces, insusceptible to the main interferences such as haze and snow, and shows a strong detection capability for broken clouds. This algorithm enables widespread application to different regions and times of day, with a low calculation complexity, indicating that a new method satisfying the requirements of fast and robust cloud detection can be achieved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Atmospheric Techniques, Instruments, and Modeling)
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28 pages, 6123 KB  
Article
Evaluating Future Water Resource Risks in the Driftless Midwest from Climate and Land Use Change
by Sagarika Rath, Sam Arden, Tassia Mattos Brighneti, Sam Moore and Raghavan Srinivasan
Land 2025, 14(9), 1919; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091919 - 20 Sep 2025
Viewed by 370
Abstract
Assessing the impacts of future changes in rainfall, temperature, and land use on streamflow and nutrient loads is critical for long-term watershed management, particularly in the unglaciated Driftless Area with steep slopes, erodible soils, and karst geology. This study evaluates the Kickapoo watershed [...] Read more.
Assessing the impacts of future changes in rainfall, temperature, and land use on streamflow and nutrient loads is critical for long-term watershed management, particularly in the unglaciated Driftless Area with steep slopes, erodible soils, and karst geology. This study evaluates the Kickapoo watershed in southwestern Wisconsin to examine how projected climate change and cropland expansion may affect hydrology during the mid- (post-2050) and late century (post-2070). Climate projections suggest temperature increase, wetter springs, and drier summers over the century. Annual average streamflow is projected to decline by 5–40% relative to 2000–2020, primarily due to a 5–15% reduction in groundwater discharge. While land use changes from prairie to cropland had a limited additional impact on streamflow, it increased annual average total phosphorus (TP) by 5.67–10.08%, total nitrogen (TN) by 1.08–2.34%, and sediment by 3.11–6.07%, frequently exceeding total maximum daily load (TMDL) thresholds in comparison to the climate change scenario. These findings suggest that although land use changes exacerbate nutrient and sediment pollution, climate change remains the dominant driver of hydrologic alteration in this watershed. Instead, converting 18% (~290 km2) of cropland to grassland could enhance baseflow (0.84–14%), and reduce TP (30–45%), TN (3–5%), sediment (80–90%), and meeting TMDL 90% of the time. These findings underscore the importance of nature-based solutions, such as prairie restoration, supporting adaptive management to reduce nutrient load, sustaining low flows, and strengthening hydrologic resilience, that support key Sustainable Development Goals. This approach offers valuable insights for other unglaciated watersheds globally. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrating Climate, Land, and Water Systems)
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17 pages, 2930 KB  
Article
Phosphorus Loss Risk in the Ju River Basin, China, Under Urbanization and Climate Change: Insights from the Hydrological Simulation Program—FORTRAN (HSPF) Model
by Chaozhong Deng, Qian Xiang, Qinxue Xiong, Shunyao Jiang, Fuli Xu, Liman Li, Jianqiang Zhu and Yuan Zhou
Water 2025, 17(18), 2771; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17182771 - 19 Sep 2025
Viewed by 289
Abstract
Despite increasing concerns over recurrent phosphorus (P) pollution, the Ju River—a small tributary of the Yangtze River—has received limited scientific attention. To correct this, the present study integrates field-based observations with the Hydrological Simulation Program—FORTRAN (HSPF) model to comprehensively assess the conjunct effects [...] Read more.
Despite increasing concerns over recurrent phosphorus (P) pollution, the Ju River—a small tributary of the Yangtze River—has received limited scientific attention. To correct this, the present study integrates field-based observations with the Hydrological Simulation Program—FORTRAN (HSPF) model to comprehensively assess the conjunct effects of urban expansion and changing precipitation patterns on watershed hydrology and phosphorus dynamics at the small-catchment scale. A total of five urban expansion scenarios and three precipitation enhancement scenarios were simulated to capture both seasonal and event-driven variations in daily discharge and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations. The model was calibrated and validated using in situ water quality data, ensuring high reliability of the simulations. The results indicate that agricultural non-point sources are the primary contributor to total phosphorus (TP) loads. During the overlapping period of intensive farming and heavy rainfall (June–July), TP concentrations more than doubled compared to other months, with these two months accounting for over 70% of the annual TP load. Urban expansion significantly amplified hydrological extremes, increasing peak discharge by up to 224% under extreme rainfall, thereby intensifying flood risks. Although increased precipitation diluted TP concentrations, it simultaneously accelerated overall phosphorus export. This study offers a novel modeling–monitoring framework tailored for small watersheds and provides critical insights into how land use transitions and climate change jointly reshape nutrient cycling. The findings support the development of targeted, scenario-based strategies to mitigate eutrophication risks in vulnerable river systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Water-Soil Pollution Control and Environmental Management)
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35 pages, 1234 KB  
Review
How Autonomous Vehicles Can Affect Anomalies of Urban Transportation
by Francesco Filippi and Adriano Alessandrini
Future Transp. 2025, 5(3), 127; https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp5030127 - 17 Sep 2025
Viewed by 453
Abstract
Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are rapidly becoming a reality, with a series of cities in the world currently testing applications. Despite these developments, the existing analyses in the literature concerning the impacts of such developments on urban transportation systems have yielded a body of [...] Read more.
Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are rapidly becoming a reality, with a series of cities in the world currently testing applications. Despite these developments, the existing analyses in the literature concerning the impacts of such developments on urban transportation systems have yielded a body of evidence marked by significant divergence and contradictory conclusions. Such conflicting findings critically hamper the synthesis of a coherent understanding and the formulation of evidence-based strategies, a challenge exacerbated by the potentially multifaceted nature of these impacts. The potential disruptive technology and the game-changing force of automated vehicles make this lack of congruence in analytical outcomes severely complicate efforts to derive clear insights or actionable conclusions. The purpose of the paper is to explore and define the optimal strategies for implementing autonomous vehicle technologies, to predict their effects on anomalies, in the Kuhnian sense, of urban transportation, and to propose a desirable urban vision and a paradigm shift consisting of a decline of car ownership dependence and the rise of shared AVs. This study is undertaken to address the escalating crisis in urban transportation globally. Cities are facing unprecedented strain due to rapid urbanization, leading to severe traffic congestion, pervasive air and noise pollution, significant safety risks, and persistent accessibility gaps, all of which profoundly diminish urban quality of life and impede economic vitality. The new vision has been assessed based on a literature selection, some qualitative and quantitative analyses, and applications and projects currently in testing. The results are largely positive and promise to change urban transportation radically, as well as to resolve the mismatches between the vision, what the paradigm predicts, and what is revealed in the implementation. The success of the vision ultimately depends on policy and regulation to manage the way in which AVs are implemented in urban areas, if they are not to lead to a worsening of the urban environment, accessibility, and health. This thoughtful implementation should address all potential challenges through integrated planning of transportation, land use, and digital systems. Full article
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17 pages, 3001 KB  
Article
Possible Effects of Pesticide Washout on Microalgae Growth
by Agnes Nadudvari, Michael Schagerl and Shiela Mae Ancheta
Water 2025, 17(18), 2716; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17182716 - 13 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1090
Abstract
Aquatic ecosystems are threatened by various anthropogenic activities, including those exacerbated by pesticides leaching from agricultural lands. Although legislation and regulations regarding pesticides aim to eliminate the risk of eutrophication and pollution, only a few studies have examined the impact of these substances [...] Read more.
Aquatic ecosystems are threatened by various anthropogenic activities, including those exacerbated by pesticides leaching from agricultural lands. Although legislation and regulations regarding pesticides aim to eliminate the risk of eutrophication and pollution, only a few studies have examined the impact of these substances on non-target organisms, such as microalgae, which are highly involved in biogeochemical cycles and critical for ecosystem integrity. We studied the effect of the agricultural insecticide Teppeki based on flonicamid, the fungicide Ortiva with azoxystrobin, and the herbicide Basar with (S)-metolachlor on the green microalga Chlorella vulgaris and the cyanobacterium Synechococcus leopoliensis. Ortiva and Basar were more toxic at lower doses than Teppeki, with (S)-metolachlor demonstrating the most instantaneous and potent inhibition. Half maximum effective concentration (EC50) values confirmed the strong inhibitory effect of the herbicide on both strains on days 3 and 8, and highlight the differing temporal responses, especially for Ortiva. This observed pattern of toxicity is consistent with pulse-amplitude-modulated fluorescence measurements of photosystem II, which indicate that both species are more sensitive to (S)-metolachlor and azoxystrobin than to flonicamid. We claim that the side effects of pesticides on non-target organisms must be given more attention. It is well established that herbicides can impair photosynthetic organisms such as microalgae, but pesticides targeting other pests can also cause adverse effects on these communities. Such unwanted side effects are directly related not only to the reduction of biodiversity, but also to human health. Full article
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22 pages, 3044 KB  
Article
Revealing the Spatial Effects of New-Type Urbanization on Urban Ecological Resilience: Evidence from 281 Prefecture-Level Cities in China
by Xiaodong Yu, Yifei Liu, Haoyang He and Bin Yang
Land 2025, 14(9), 1851; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14091851 - 11 Sep 2025
Viewed by 280
Abstract
Enhancing urban ecological resilience (UER) is essential for achieving sustainable urban development, as it fosters balanced urbanization while ensuring long-term ecosystem stability. New-type urbanization (NU) plays a pivotal role in sustaining urban sustainable development; however, the mechanisms through which NU affects UER remain [...] Read more.
Enhancing urban ecological resilience (UER) is essential for achieving sustainable urban development, as it fosters balanced urbanization while ensuring long-term ecosystem stability. New-type urbanization (NU) plays a pivotal role in sustaining urban sustainable development; however, the mechanisms through which NU affects UER remain insufficiently understood. This study seeks to bridge this knowledge gap by analyzing panel data from 281 prefecture-level cities in China spanning the period from 2000 to 2022. Composite indices for NU and UER are constructed using the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method. The relationship between NU and UER is empirically examined through fixed-effects models, mediation analysis, and a spatial Durbin model. The findings reveal a general upward trend in both NU and UER over time, albeit with some fluctuations. NU significantly enhances UER through direct effects, indirect pathways, and spatial spillovers. The magnitude and nature of this impact vary across geographic regions and resource endowments. Resource-based cities, in particular, demonstrate a stronger capacity to optimize land resource allocation, improve land use structures, and reduce environmental pollution—thus contributing more effectively to UER enhancement. Furthermore, while NU has a positive effect on UER across all regions, the impact is more pronounced in central and western cities, where major national development strategies—such as the Western Development Strategy and the Rise of Central China Plan—are actively implemented. Among them, cities in the central region with higher levels of urbanization experience more substantial benefits from NU compared to those in the western region, where urbanization is progressing more gradually. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the spatial effects of NU on UER and offers valuable policy implications for enhancing ecological resilience through sustainable urbanization pathways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Land Systems and Global Change)
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22 pages, 3273 KB  
Article
Development of an Automobile Indoor Air Quality Grading Based on Acute and Chronic Risk Assessment
by Ji-Yun Jung, Young-Hyun Kim, Eun-Ju Lim, Young-Jun Byun, Min-Kwang Kim, Hyun-Woo Lee, Cha-Ryung Kim, In-Ji Park, Ho-Hyun Kim and Cheol-Min Lee
Toxics 2025, 13(9), 754; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13090754 - 4 Sep 2025
Viewed by 439
Abstract
This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate the potential health effects of exposure to major air pollutants inside newly manufactured automobiles and to develop a grading system for automobile indoor air quality based on this assessment. To achieve this, the concentrations of 28 air [...] Read more.
This study aimed to quantitatively evaluate the potential health effects of exposure to major air pollutants inside newly manufactured automobiles and to develop a grading system for automobile indoor air quality based on this assessment. To achieve this, the concentrations of 28 air pollutants were measured in five different automobile models. Among these, 18 substances were selected for health risk assessment based on the availability of acute and chronic toxicity data and the requirement that each substance had been detected at least once under one or more of the automobile test modes (AM, PM, and DM). Acute hazard quotients (HQacute), chronic non-carcinogenic hazard quotients (HQ), and excess lifetime cancer risks (ECR) were subsequently calculated. The results of acute and chronic health risk assessments showed significant variation depending on the automobile test mode, and some automobiles exceeded health-based reference values for certain pollutants. Based on these findings, this study developed a 10-level grading system for automobile indoor air quality by comprehensively integrating pollutant-specific health risk levels and exceedances of the recommended limits outlined in Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport’s “Indoor Air Quality Guidelines for Newly Manufactured Automobiles.” The grading scale ranges from Grade 1 (Excellent) to Grade 10 (Hazardous), reflecting both acute and chronic health risks as well as legal standards, thereby improving upon conventional concentration-based management approaches. The proposed grading system enables a quantitative interpretation of automobile indoor air quality from a health-based perspective and is expected to be applicable in various fields, including automobile manufacturers’ air quality control, consumer information disclosure, and policy development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Pollution and Health)
30 pages, 6143 KB  
Article
Interdisciplinary Approach to Regenerate Contaminated Urban Sites with Novel Ecosystems: The Multi-Layer Analysis of La Goccia Forest, a Case Study in Milan
by Gianluca Rapaccini, Zeno Porro, Laura Passatore, Giovanni Trentanovi, Brenda Maria Zoderer, Paola Pirelli, Lorenzo Guerci, Gabriele Galasso, Lara Assunta Quaglini, Elisa Cardarelli, Silvia Stefanelli, Roberto Comolli, Chiara Ferré, Gabriele Gheza and Massimo Zacchini
Forests 2025, 16(9), 1410; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16091410 - 3 Sep 2025
Viewed by 652
Abstract
In the face of mounting challenges related to limited availability of urban land and ecological degradation, emerging novel ecosystems offer unique opportunities for ecological regeneration, social redefinition of space, and alternative urban visions. This study presents the multi-layer analysis of the Goccia Forest [...] Read more.
In the face of mounting challenges related to limited availability of urban land and ecological degradation, emerging novel ecosystems offer unique opportunities for ecological regeneration, social redefinition of space, and alternative urban visions. This study presents the multi-layer analysis of the Goccia Forest in Milan (Italy), a wild urban woodland that has developed over sealed and polluted post-industrial land, aiming to investigate the potential of this novel ecosystem to sustain Nature-based Solutions (NbSs). Using an integrated approach (surveys on fauna, vascular flora, lichens, analysis of forest evolution, mapping of sealed surfaces, and soil characterization) the research looks at the novel ecosystem as a whole, highlighting its ecological dynamics and Ecosystem Services (ES). La Goccia Forest serves as a prime example of how the implementation of NbSs is intricately intertwined with the spontaneous regeneration of urban brownfields. The present study offers the opportunity to rethink urban policies, ensuring their alignment with the demands of the population and the latest scientific knowledge. Full article
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33 pages, 30246 KB  
Review
Critical Appraisal of Coal Gangue and Activated Coal Gangue for Sustainable Engineering Applications
by Narlagiri Snehasree, Mohammad Nuruddin and Arif Ali Baig Moghal
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(17), 9649; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15179649 - 2 Sep 2025
Viewed by 797
Abstract
Coal gangue, a primary solid waste by-product of coal mining and processing, constitutes approximately 10–15% of total coal output. Its accumulation poses substantial environmental challenges, including land occupation, spontaneous combustion, acid mine drainage, and heavy metal leaching. Despite its high silica and alumina [...] Read more.
Coal gangue, a primary solid waste by-product of coal mining and processing, constitutes approximately 10–15% of total coal output. Its accumulation poses substantial environmental challenges, including land occupation, spontaneous combustion, acid mine drainage, and heavy metal leaching. Despite its high silica and alumina content (typically exceeding 70% combined), the highly stable and crystalline structure of raw coal gangue limits its pozzolanic activity and adsorption efficiency. To address this limitation, this review emphasizes recent advances in activation strategies such as thermal (500–900 °C), mechanical (dry/wet grinding to less than 200 µm), chemical (acid/alkali treatments), microwave, and hybrid methods. The activated coal gangue resulted in an enhanced surface area (up to 55 m2/g), amorphization of kaolinite to metakaolinite, and the generation of mesoporosity under optimal conditions. This review critically examined the geotechnical applications, such as soil stabilization and mine backfill, highlighting the replacement of 50–75% of cementitious binder in backfilling and meeting the subgrade/base material strength criteria (UCS > 2 MPa). In geoenvironmental applications (adsorption of phosphate, dyes, heavy metals, and CO2 mineralization), more than 90% of pollutant removal is attained. In construction applications, supplementary cementitious materials and sintered bricks are examined. Several critical knowledge gaps, including limited understanding of long-term durability, inconsistent activation optimization across different coal gangue sources, and insufficient assessment of environmental impacts during large-scale implementation, are clearly addressed. This review provides a roadmap for advancing sustainable coal gangue utilization and highlights emerging opportunities for cost-effective applications in the mining and construction sectors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Construction Material and Its Applications)
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22 pages, 9798 KB  
Article
Application of Machine Learning Approaches to Predict Soil Element Background Concentration at Large Region Scale
by Jiao Li, Linglong Meng, Tianran Li, Pengli Xue, Hejing Wang and Jie Hua
Sustainability 2025, 17(17), 7853; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17177853 - 31 Aug 2025
Viewed by 529
Abstract
Soil element background concentration is foundational data for environmental quality assessment, contamination diagnosis, and sustainable land management. However, existing investigation-based methods are time-consuming and inefficient. The machine learning (ML) method has demonstrated excellent performance in predicting soil heavy metal concentration. In this study, [...] Read more.
Soil element background concentration is foundational data for environmental quality assessment, contamination diagnosis, and sustainable land management. However, existing investigation-based methods are time-consuming and inefficient. The machine learning (ML) method has demonstrated excellent performance in predicting soil heavy metal concentration. In this study, based on the nine environmental variables of soil formation from 210 soil monitoring points, including elevation, pH, organic matter, soil type, parent material, plant cover, land use type, topography, and soil texture, decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGB), and support vector machine (SVM) models were used to predict the eleven soil element background concentrations. Among them, SVM and RF models could be used for an effective prediction of the background concentration of all soil heavy metals. Compared with the XGBoost and DT, the SVM for all heavy metals except for cadmium (Cd) and manganese (Mn) performs best. Although the key factors affecting background concentrations vary among different soil elements, organic matter, soil type, and altitude, they play a crucial role in the accurate prediction of soil element background concentration. This study provides simple and efficient ML models for predicting soil element background concentration at the large regional scale. The results of this study can be utilized to distinguish natural geochemical processes from human-induced pollution. Full article
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12 pages, 2008 KB  
Article
Metal Enrichment in Settleable Particulate Matter Associated with Air Pollution in the Andean City of Ecuador
by David del Pozo, Bryan Valle, Daniel Maza and Ángel Benítez
Environments 2025, 12(9), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12090304 - 30 Aug 2025
Viewed by 780
Abstract
Air pollution is one of the major environmental challenges worldwide. Settleable particulate matter (SPM), related to this environmental problem, contains metals capable of producing negative effects on human health (e.g., cardiovascular and respiratory illness). For this study, continuous monitoring was carried in the [...] Read more.
Air pollution is one of the major environmental challenges worldwide. Settleable particulate matter (SPM), related to this environmental problem, contains metals capable of producing negative effects on human health (e.g., cardiovascular and respiratory illness). For this study, continuous monitoring was carried in the urban city of Loja (Ecuador), where 10 points were distributed based on different land uses. Samples were collected on a monthly basis using a passive method, by means of samplers built based on the 502 Method. The gravimetric method was then used in the laboratory to determine the concentration of SPM. The inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) technique was used to identify the presence of metals as such as Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Cobalt (Co), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Silver (Ag), Arsenic (As), and Mercury (Hg) in SPM. The results obtained showed that SPM and As differed significantly between land uses, but most metals showed significant differences in relation to temporal changes. Although 90% of the sampling points show SPM concentrations within the limits established by environmental regulations, some of the points exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) limit of 0.5 mg/cm2. Finally, the temporal changes in more metals were clearly observed, probably because of increased combustion processes (vehicular traffic), with a higher percentage of metals clearly observed during the April and August months. Furthermore, the highest levels of vegetation burning in Loja province, including the surroundings of the city of Loja, occurred in August. This analysis provides essential data to guide environmental monitoring and air quality management strategies, aiming to reduce health risks from long-term exposure to metal-enriched particulate matter. Full article
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22 pages, 4204 KB  
Article
Integrative Runoff Infiltration Modeling of Mountainous Urban Karstic Terrain
by Yaakov Anker, Nitzan Ne’eman, Alexander Gimburg and Itzhak Benenson
Hydrology 2025, 12(9), 222; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology12090222 - 22 Aug 2025
Viewed by 545
Abstract
Global climate change, combined with the construction of impermeable urban elements, tends to increase runoff, which might cause flooding and reduce groundwater recharge. Moreover, the first flash of these areas might accumulate pollutants that might deteriorate groundwater quality. A digital elevation model (DEM) [...] Read more.
Global climate change, combined with the construction of impermeable urban elements, tends to increase runoff, which might cause flooding and reduce groundwater recharge. Moreover, the first flash of these areas might accumulate pollutants that might deteriorate groundwater quality. A digital elevation model (DEM) describes urban landscapes by representing the watershed relief at any given location. While, in concept, finer DEMs and land use classification (LUC) are yielding better hydrological models, it is suggested that over-accuracy overestimates minor tributaries that might be redundant. Optimal DEM resolution with integrated spectral and feature-based LUC was found to reflect the hydrological network’s significant tributaries. To cope with the karstic urban watershed complexity, ModClark Transform and SCS Curve Number methods were integrated over a GIS-HEC-HMS platform to a nominal urban watershed sub-basin analysis procedure, allowing for detailed urban runoff modeling. This precise urban karstic terrain modeling procedure can predict runoff volume and discharge in urban, mountainous karstic watersheds, and may be used for water-sensitive design or in such cities to control runoff and prevent its negative impacts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Influence of Landscape Disturbance on Catchment Processes)
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