Search Results (829)

An in-depth understanding of the factors that enhance carbon footprints is a plausible pathway to enthrone environmental sustainability. Currently, the implications of energy and mineral depletion for carbon footprints in South Africa and Nigeria have received minimal empirical attention. The few available studies are non-exhaustive, often limiting broad-based policy refinements. With datasets spanning more than five decades (1971–2022), the novel Fourier Bootstrap Autoregressive Distributed Lag estimator was selected to account for structural breaks and nonlinearities. The empirical findings reveal divergent environmental pathways: South Africa’s carbon footprint (0.666% increase) is more related to energy depletion, reflecting coal-dominated electricity generation. Mineral depletion emerges as the primary culprit in Nigeria (10.856% increase), attributable to unregulated mining activities, including gas flaring and deforestation. Both countries face common challenges from urbanization (0.094% and 0.087% increases) and economic growth (0.107% and 0.046% increases). Trade openness shows insignificant effects. Short-run carbon footprint reductions from resource depletion improvements do not persist, underscoring the need for policy consistency. Policy effectiveness analysis identifies coal phase-out (0.9) and carbon pricing (0.8) as South Africa’s highest-return interventions. Mining regulation (0.9), green mining (0.9), and artisanal formalization (0.9) emerge as Nigeria’s priorities. The integration frameworks outperform siloed approaches. This implies South Africa may capture higher returns from policy coherence, while Nigeria may depend more on enforcement capacity. These findings provide evidence-based guidance for context-specific environmental policy design in resource-dependent economies. Full article

Poria cocos (syn. Wolfiporia cocos) is an obligate saprophytic fungus that can produce sclerotia only when cultivated on pine wood. Despite its wide cultivation, the nutritional adaptation of this fungus to pine substrate and the host defensive responses triggered during colonization remain poorly characterized. Elucidating how Poria cocos colonizes pine and triggers host defenses is critical to uncover its nutrient dependence. GO and KEGG analyses revealed that protein degradation, carbon metabolism, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, and proteasome pathways were the major enriched pathways, indicating that a large amount of pine wood protein was degraded after Poria cocos colonization. Consistent with these omics signatures, the fungus acquired its primary nitrogen source via breakdown of pine structural and metabolic proteins, while pine carbohydrates acted as its main carbon source. Nutritional profiling confirmed the depletion of soluble protein and total sugars in pine wood, alongside elevated defensive polyphenols and flavonoids, reflecting an active stress response from viable pine parenchyma cells upon colonization. No significant shifts in mineral element concentrations were detected in colonized pine wood, indicating that Poria cocos selectively absorbs target minerals without altering the overall mineral pool of host wood tissue. Collectively, this work elucidates the core nutritional strategy of Poria cocos during pine colonization and identifies key molecular clues to advance optimized artificial cultivation, laying a solid theoretical foundation for revealing its obligate saprophytic lifestyle. Full article

Dental resin composites are widely used for direct restorations, yet their longevity remains limited by biofilm accumulation and secondary caries at the tooth–restoration interface. Unlike previous reviews that have primarily organized antibacterial dental materials according to antimicrobial agents or mechanisms, this narrative review evaluates antibacterial resin composites from a polymer-composite design perspective, integrating molecular architecture, network immobilization, filler–matrix interactions, polymerization, and aging. Leachable agents such as chlorhexidine provide early antibacterial effects but are constrained by reservoir depletion, water sorption, and release-related material changes. In contrast, covalently immobilized quaternary ammonium monomers provide sustained surface-associated activity without continuous release, although their performance depends on molecular structure, concentration, degree of conversion, and network properties. Antibacterial nanoparticles and bioactive glass fillers provide composition-dependent ion-mediated, photocatalytic, pH-modulating, and remineralizing effects, while their performance depends strongly on particle characteristics, dispersion, and formulation. Multifunctional systems further combine antibacterial activity with protein repellence, mineral protection, and rechargeable ion release. Overall, the evidence indicates that durable antibacterial performance cannot be considered independently of polymerization, mechanical integrity, aging stability, and biocompatibility. Future development should therefore prioritize clinically relevant multispecies biofilm models, standardized aging protocols, structure–property analysis, and long-term in vivo and clinical validation. Full article

Late Mesozoic magmatic rocks are widely exposed in the northern Great Xing’an Range, a key region recording Phanerozoic crustal growth along the eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB). This study integrates petrology, LA–ICP–MS zircon U–Pb geochronology, zircon Hf isotopes, and whole-rock geochemistry for Late Mesozoic granitic subvolcanic intrusions in the Huoluotai area, northern Great Xing’an Range. Zircon U–Pb dating yields crystallization ages of 143.4 ± 1.2 Ma for the felsite and 138.8 ± 2.0 Ma for the rhyolite porphyry, documenting early Early Cretaceous emplacement. Geochemical data reveals that the investigated felsite and rhyolite porphyry exhibit high SiO₂, K₂O and total alkali (K₂O + Na₂O) contents, coupled with low MgO, Mg^#, Ni, Sr and Yb values, and thus belong to shoshonitic I-type granites. The samples are enriched in large-ion lithophile elements (LILIs; e.g., Rb, K, U) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), with depletion of high-field-strength elements (HFSEs; e.g., Nb, Ta, P, Ti) and heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), accompanied by pronounced negative Eu anomalies, typical of crust-derived magmas. Zircon ε_Hf(t) values range from −2.25 to +1.57 for the felsite (T_DM2 = 1092–1334 Ma) and −0.65 to +3.58 for the rhyolite porphyry (T_DM2 = 960–1229 Ma). Zircon Hf isotopic features demonstrate that the primary magmas were mainly derived from Mesoproterozoic juvenile crust, accompanied by variable mixing with ancient sialic crustal components. The felsite and rhyolite porphyry formed in a post-collisional extensional setting, constraining the final closure of the eastern Mongol–Okhotsk Ocean to earlier than ~144 Ma. By contrast, Late Jurassic (150–146 Ma) Mo-mineralization-related granitoids in this area are Na-rich adakites with high Sr and low Yb, generated during oceanic subduction. The remarkable geochemical transition from 150–146 Ma subduction-related Na-rich adakites to 143–139 Ma post-collisional K-rich granites restricts a tectonic transition from compression to extension at ~145 Ma in the northern Great Xing’an Range. Full article

Mudstone caprocks are important sealing formations for geological CO₂ storage, but the extent and mineralogical response of CO₂-induced alteration within mudstone caprocks remain poorly constrained. This study examines a Paleocene mudstone caprock from the Mingyuefeng Formation in the Lishui Sag, East China Sea Basin, where natural CO₂ charging has occurred. Mineralogical and geochemical analyses, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), rare earth elements (REE), and carbon–oxygen isotopes, were used to characterize CO₂–water–rock interaction at the reservoir–caprock transition. The studied caprock is dominated by quartz and clay minerals, with mineralogical characteristics favorable for caprock sealing. REE signatures indicate a felsic source and limited vertical REE redistribution within the studied interval. Carbonate minerals display distinct vertical variations across the sandstone–mudstone interface, with localized carbonate redistribution near the transition and carbonate depletion accompanied by clay-mineral alteration above it. Most samples retain δ¹³C values close to background levels, whereas a decimeter-scale interval adjacent to the interface exhibits depleted δ¹³C values accompanied by localized δ¹⁸O variations, consistent with the localized influence of CO₂-bearing fluids. The altered zone is restricted to a decimeter-scale interval above the reservoir–caprock transition, suggesting that CO₂-related alteration was spatially restricted within the studied interval. Carbonate redistribution and clay-mineral transformation may have contributed to geochemical buffering during CO₂–water–rock interaction, although their quantitative effects on pore structure and sealing performance require further petrophysical investigation. These results provide a natural analogue for understanding localized CO₂-induced alteration and potential geochemical self-sealing processes at reservoir–caprock interfaces. Full article

The Dajing Cu-Sn polymetallic deposit, situated within the southern Great Xing’an Range of northern China, is a representative Mesozoic magmatic–hydrothermal system within a major Cu–Sn–Ag–Pb–Zn metallogenic belt. Located at the junction between the Siberian and North China plates, the deposit occurs within a composite tectonic domain overprinted by the Paleo-Asian, Mongol–Okhotsk, and Paleo-Pacific systems. Building on field geological constraints and detailed ore petrography, this study utilizes SEM–CL imaging and in situ LA–ICP–MS trace-element analysis of hydrothermal quartz to reconstruct the multistage physicochemical evolution and fluid dynamics of the ore-forming system. Three quartz generations record successive mineralization stages: early QI forms grain cores associated with Stage I cassiterite–arsenopyrite–quartz mineralization; main-stage QII crystallized during or shortly after Stage II chalcopyrite precipitation and exhibits well-developed oscillatory zoning; and late QIII occurs mainly as rim overgrowths and fracture fillings and postdates Stage III ore-mineral precipitation. Quartz is characteristically Ti-poor (4.7–22.8 ppm), and its trace-element systematics indicate a low- to intermediate-temperature hydrothermal signature and a granitic magmatic–hydrothermal affinity. Al, Li, Na, K, and Ge show coupled behavior consistent with heterovalent substitution and vary markedly among quartz generations, with CL-bright QIIa showing relatively higher Al, Ge, and Na relative to CL-dark QIIb, whereas QIII is generally characterized by lower Al, Li, and Ge. Localized anomalously high Cu and Sn values are mainly attributed to the co-ablation of fine-grained mineral inclusions, metal-rich fluid inclusions, or fracture-filling components. These features indicate a chemically heterogeneous fluid reservoir with inferred relatively acidic conditions during the initial Sn-mineralization stage. The fluid system subsequently experienced recurrent physicochemical fluctuations associated with pulsed fluid input during the principal Cu-mineralization stage. QIII records a trace element-depleted late-fluid system associated with the terminal pyrite–quartz stage. Late fluids migrated along earlier quartz boundaries and fractures and may have undergone further cooling and dilution through fluid mixing and/or water–rock interaction. Overall, the fluid system shows a progressive shift in inferred fluid chemistry, consistent with decreasing acidity during hydrothermal evolution. Full article

Afghanistan’s Panjshir Valley is an important emerald-producing region in Asia. In this study, emeralds from Kamar Safid in Southeastern Panjshir were investigated by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible–near-infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) spectroscopy, and laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). These Kamar Safid emeralds are generally small, light-green-to-green crystals. Microscopic observations revealed abundant acicular and tubular three- or two-phase fluid inclusions, with transparent feldspar-group mineral inclusions. Solid phases in the fluid inclusions commonly consist of carbonate crystals or several transparent halite daughter crystals. FTIR spectra of samples indicated that the absorption of type II H₂O was higher than type I H₂O in the emeralds from Kamar Safid. The UV-Vis-NIR spectra are characterized by Cr- and V-related absorption bands, which are stronger than Fe-related absorptions. LA-ICP-MS results indicate slightly higher V contents and lower Cr contents than emeralds from other Panjshir mining areas. The relatively low total Cr and V contents of Kamar Safid emeralds account for the overall lighter color, suggesting that Cr and V are the principal chromophores, whereas Fe secondarily modifies hue. Rb, Cs, and Sc contents are 6.2–24.3 ppm, 11.9–141.6 ppm, and 92–1461 ppm, with total alkali contents of 4903.10–14,257.18 ppm. Cs-Rb, Cs-Sc, Li-Cs, and Li-Sc binary logarithmic diagrams indicate enrichment in Sc and Rb and depletion in Li and Cs. Full article

The Galinge deposit in East Kunlun, China is a large Fe-polymetallic skarn system with a significant by-product, Co, but the respective roles of magmatism, skarn evolution, and wall rock interaction in Co enrichment remain incompletely understood. We integrate zircon and garnet U–Pb geochronology, zircon Lu–Hf isotopes and trace elements, whole-rock geochemistry, and SEM-EDS and EPMA mineral chemistry. Granodiorite and diorite porphyry yield zircon U–Pb ages of 230.09 ± 0.91 Ma and 229.4 ± 1.3 Ma, respectively, whereas skarn garnet yields 224.4 ± 9.3 Ma, placing intrusion and skarn formation within a Late Triassic magmatic–hydrothermal system. Both suites are metaluminous, LREE-enriched, and Nb–Ta–Ti-depleted; zircon ε_Hf(t) values of −9.4 to −1.8 indicate the predominant reworking of older crustal material with variable input from a more radiogenic component. Strictly screened Ti-in-zircon temperatures and lattice strain Ce anomalies yield median apparent ΔFMQ values of +3.36 for granodiorite and +3.04 for diorite porphyry, indicating comparably oxidized magmatic conditions. The analyzed intrusions contain 2.12–13.4 ppm Co, whereas cobaltite and Co-bearing arsenopyrite contain 32.83–34.14 wt% and 0.38–4.53 wt% Co, respectively. Spatial and paragenetic relations place Co enrichment after magnetite deposition, during an early sulfide-stage hydrothermal sulfarsenide event within the skarn system. We infer that Late Triassic intrusions supplied heat, fluids, and ligands, whereas structural focusing and cooling, coupled with carbonate wall rock reactions and a reduction in carbonaceous or Fe²⁺-bearing domains, promoted As–S-rich Co precipitation; the leaching of intermediate–mafic wall rocks may have supplemented the Co inventory. Full article

This in vitro study evaluated the shear bond strength (SBS), morphology, and chemistry of CAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) ceramics and composites bonded to Er:YAG-irradiated dentin using universal adhesive strategies. A total of 102 human dentin discs were randomly allocated to etched control (E), laser-irradiated (I; 10 Hz, 150 mJ, 5 s), or irradiated-and-etched (IE) conditions. Ninety specimens were bonded to a Cerasmart composite (CSM) or leucite-reinforced ceramic (LRF), while 12 were used for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). EDX showed marked mineral depletion after etching, with the Ca/P ratio decreasing from 1.58 in control dentin to 1.28 in E and IE specimens. LRF showed higher SBS than CSM (14.12 ± 5.14 vs. 10.94 ± 3.76 MPa); E-LRF had the highest SBS (15.48 ± 3.75 MPa) and I-CSM the lowest (9.57 ± 4.05 MPa), with Tukey significance only seen between these groups (p = 0.009). A two-way ANOVA showed a significant material effect on SBS (p = 0.002), whereas dentin pretreatment (p = 0.185) and material × pretreatment interaction (p = 0.719) were not significant. In conclusion, although Er:YAG irradiation modified dentin morphology and surface chemistry, dentin pretreatment had no statistically significant effect on SBS. Phosphoric acid etching nonetheless remained the most consistent conditioning approach in descriptive terms, as irradiated-and-etched dentin achieved SBS values comparable to etched-only dentin, whereas irradiation alone yielded the lowest descriptive values. This observation should be confirmed by studies incorporating thermocycling, long-term storage, and fatigue loading. Full article

Agricultural intensification with synthetic fertilisers has systematically disrupted soil organic carbon (SOC), influenced rhizosphere networks, and affected human health via the soil–human microbial continuum. Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms (PGPMs) can restore biogeochemical cycles; however, field performance varies due to spatial stoichiometric variation. In order to visualise the problem and provide a potential solution, we use global soil carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio stratification over three depth profiles (0–5, 5–15, and 15–30 cm) to create a potential spatially explicit framework for site-specific PGPM application. In comparison to contemporary models that attribute stable soil organic matter creation mostly to microbial necromass buildup as mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) via the microbial carbon pump, we assess diazotrophic nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilisation, and glomalin-mediated aggregation. According to stoichiometric analysis, low C/N ratios (<10:1) increase organic matter mineralisation via priming effects, resulting in clay compaction and sandy soil desiccation, while wide ratios (>30:1) cause microbial nitrogen immobilisation (“nitrogen depression”). To mitigate these limitations, we proposed depth-stratified inoculation, applying chemotactic taxa (Variovorax paradoxus) at 15–30 cm in carbon-depleted subsoils; co-inoculating diazotrophs and arbuscular mycorrhizae (Rhizophagus irregularis) at 5–15 cm for stoichiometric balance and phosphorus acquisition and deploying exopolysaccharide-producing and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase-active taxa (Pseudomonas putida, Funneliformis mosseae) at 0–5 cm for erosion. In conclusion, in order to maximise fertiliser use efficiency, improve structural stability, and protect metabolic health within the interdisciplinary One Health framework, we assess the shift toward trait-based, multi-kingdom Synthetic Microbial Communities (SynComs), assembled via genomic metabolic reconstructions and machine learning. We explicitly acknowledge methodological limits in existing field applications, such as substantial spatial variability, equipment constraints, and biotic competition, putting scientific validity ahead of generalised efficacy. Full article

Bone-resident macrophages are increasingly recognized as regulators of bone metabolism, yet their contribution to primary human osteoblast cultures remains poorly understood. We investigated the functional relevance of CD14-positive cells in primary human osteoblast cultures obtained using two isolation methods. CD14-positive cells were depleted by magnetic-activated cell sorting, and non-depleted and depleted cultures were compared regarding cell viability, matrix mineralization, osteogenic and macrophage-associated marker expression, and responses to IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. CD14 depletion reduced cell viability under growth conditions and significantly impaired matrix mineralization in cultures obtained with both isolation protocols. Depletion markedly decreased CD14 and other monocyte/macrophage-associated markers, while the osteogenic cell population was largely preserved, although marker-specific changes suggested altered osteoblast maturation. Despite reduced basal mineralization, IL-1β and TNF-α significantly enhanced mineralization in both non-depleted and CD14-depleted cultures, whereas IL-6 had no significant effect. These findings indicate that CD14-positive cells support basal osteoblast viability, maturation, and mineralization but are not required for the mineralization-promoting effects of IL-1β and TNF-α. Primary human osteoblast cultures should therefore be considered multicellular systems in which macrophage-like cells contribute substantially to basal osteogenic function. Full article

Accurate estimation of terrestrial water storage change (TWSC) remains challenging in regions where hydrological variability interacts with complex geological conditions and intensive human activities. Taking the Loess Plateau (LP) in the middle Yellow River region as a case study, this work integrates GLDAS simulations, GRACE observations, GNSS vertical-displacement records, a joint GNSS–GRACE inversion, and meteorological data for 2013–2024 to investigate regional TWS variability and model-dependent discrepancies. The results show that GLDAS, GRACE, GNSS, and the joint solution exhibit distinct temporal trends and spatial patterns. GRACE indicates a stronger long-term depletion signal, whereas GNSS-derived equivalent water height (EWH), which relies on the assumption of elastic surface loading, shows a weaker trend but stronger seasonal variability. This discrepancy suggests that GNSS-based inversion over the LP may be affected by non-elastic or non-loading deformation processes, such as wetting-induced loess collapse, aquifer compaction, mining-related subsidence, and other near-surface effects. In contrast, GRACE may include non-TWS mass redistribution associated with soil erosion and mineral exploitation. The joint solution is more consistent with the GLDAS-derived hydrological model benchmark than either single geodetic estimate, but this agreement should not be interpreted as direct proof of higher accuracy or complete removal of non-hydrological effects. Overall, this study highlights the need to diagnose model-dependent discrepancies, effective spatial resolution, and non-loading deformation when applying GRACE- and GNSS-based approaches to TWSC estimation in geologically and anthropogenically complex regions. Full article

The increasing generation of municipal waste and the depletion of natural mineral resources have intensified the search for sustainable alternatives for construction materials within the framework of the circular economy. While waste glass, industrial residues, and selected municipal waste fractions have been extensively investigated individually as raw materials for lightweight aggregates, their simultaneous incorporation into a single ceramic matrix remains largely unexplored. To address this research gap, the present study investigates the feasibility of producing lightweight ceramic aggregates through the simultaneous incorporation of three municipal waste streams street sweeping waste (SSW), waste glass, and bulky waste into a clay-based ceramic matrix. Three ceramic mixtures containing different proportions of these waste materials were prepared, pelletized, and fired at 1100 °C. The produced aggregates were characterized in terms of loose bulk density, water absorption, total heavy metal concentrations, and heavy metal leachability, while the bulky waste was additionally characterized by loss on ignition to determine its organic matter content. All produced aggregates satisfied the requirements of PN-EN 13055-1 for lightweight aggregates, with loose bulk densities ranging from 442.9 to 543.1 kg m⁻³, comparable with commercially available expanded clay lightweight aggregates. Water absorption varied between 32.93% and 56.61%, with mixture composition explaining approximately 88% of the observed variance (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.001). Loss-on-ignition analysis revealed that bulky waste contained approximately 98.8 wt.% organic matter, confirming its effectiveness as a pore-forming additive during firing. Environmental assessment of the optimum mixture indicated limited mobility for most investigated heavy metals after thermal treatment; however, chromium leachability slightly exceeded the adopted reference value, indicating the need for further optimization of the ceramic composition. Overall, the developed lightweight aggregate represents a promising alternative to conventional lightweight aggregates and contributes to resource recovery, waste valorization, and the implementation of circular economy principles in the construction sector. Future research should focus on chromium speciation, mechanical performance, long-term durability, life cycle assessment, and pilot-scale production to support future industrial application. Full article

The hilly terrain at the western foot of the Wanda Mountains boasts intricate geological conditions, compounded by long-term mineral extraction and farming activities. The multi-sourced heavy metals stored within stream sediments create substantial obstacles to accurate source apportionment and targeted risk mitigation. In this work, stream sediment samples were collected across the study watershed to test concentrations of eight heavy metals: As, Cd, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, Hg and Zn. Pollution and ecological risk assessments were implemented via the pollution load index (PLI), geo-accumulation index (I_geo) and potential ecological risk index (RI). Kriging interpolation was utilized to visualize and interpret the spatial variation patterns of heavy metals. Combined correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA) and the Absolute Principal Component Scores–Multiple Linear Regression (APCS-MLR) receptor model were adopted to qualitatively and quantitatively distinguish pollution endmembers of heavy metals. The main results are as follows: Cr, Cd, Pb and As show significant enrichment, whereas Ni, Cu, Zn and Hg appear depleted; all measured heavy metals present strong spatial variability. Weathering of basic bedrocks governs the widespread high-value zones of Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn. Patchy enrichment of Pb, As and Cd is concentrated in river valley farmlands, with no continuous anomalous zones detected for Hg. The watershed as a whole suffers mild contamination and low potential ecological risk, with only sampling points surrounding mines and agricultural lands experiencing moderate-to-severe pollution and medium ecological hazards. Three source endmembers are identified in the region: a natural geogenic endmember (Cr, Ni, Co, etc.), a mixed mining-associated anthropogenic endmember (Zn, Hg, Cu, Cd), and an agricultural non-point endmember (Pb, As, Sb). Quantitative APCS-MLR calculations confirm that mining disturbances serve as the predominant anthropogenic input for Zn, Hg, Cu and Cd; agricultural practices dominate the accumulation of As and Pb; and geogenic contributions stay marginal for all elements. This study corroborates that regional lithology sets the natural geochemical baseline of heavy metals, while anthropogenic interferences function as the primary driver of localized pollution anomalies. The conclusions can deliver theoretical support for heavy metal pollution remediation in similar hilly watersheds throughout Northeast China. Full article

Rare-metal pegmatites of the Kalba–Narym belt (Eastern Kazakhstan) represent an important source of Li, Cs, Ta, Nb, Be, and associated critical metals. Despite extensive geological investigations, the relationships between granites, pegmatites, and late-stage alteration products within the Central Kalba ore district remain insufficiently constrained. This study integrates whole-rock geochemistry and muscovite trace-element data to evaluate regional fractionation trends and rare-metal enrichment within the granite–pegmatite system. The dataset comprises 29 whole-rock samples, including Phase I and Phase II granites, pegmatites, greisens, and hornfels, together with 11 muscovite separates from the Akhmetkino, Yubileynoye, Bakennoye, and Asubulak ore fields. Geochemical evolution was assessed using granite-normalized multi-element patterns and the Cs–Rb, K/Rb–Cs, Li–Rb, Li–Cs, Rb/Sr–Cs, and Ta–Cs relationships. Muscovite compositions were additionally compared with published datasets from the Totoral (Argentina) and Gatumba (Rwanda) pegmatite districts. The results reveal systematic enrichment in Li, Rb, Cs, Nb, and Ta accompanied by depletion in Sr and Ba from granites to the most evolved pegmatites. The strongest geochemical relationship is recorded by the Rb/Sr–Cs system (R² = 0.805), whereas Ta and Cs show only weak correlation (R² = 0.062). Muscovite compositions display decreasing K/Rb and K/Cs ratios and increasing Rb and Cs concentrations from Akhmetkino through Yubileynoye and Bakennoye to Asubulak, defining a regional fractionation sequence consistent with whole-rock geochemistry. The most evolved muscovites overlap compositional fields characteristic of highly fractionated LCT pegmatites. The geochemical patterns identified in both whole-rock and muscovite datasets indicate progressive melt evolution across the Central Kalba district. Late-stage alteration and volatile-rich mineral assemblages record additional fluid-related processes, although their quantitative contribution to rare-metal redistribution remains uncertain. The results identify Cs, Rb/Sr, K/Rb, and K/Cs as useful indicators of relative pegmatite evolution and provide new constraints on the development of rare-metal granite–pegmatite systems in Eastern Kazakhstan. Full article