Water Quality Assessment of Begum Talab Lake in Vijayapura District for Drinking Purpose Using WQI (Water Quality Index)

The present study evaluated the drinking water quality of Begum Talab Lake, located in Vijayapura district, Karnataka, India, using the Water Quality Index (WQI) approach. Surface water samples were collected monthly from July 2024 to June 2025, and major physicochemical parameters were analysed following standard APHA (1998) methods. The pH ranged from 7.70 to 8.40, remaining within the desirable limits prescribed by BIS. Dissolved oxygen varied between 4.4 and 6.2 mg/L, while biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand ranged from 1.69–5.05 mg/L and 11–24 mg/L, respectively. Total alkalinity (70–120 mg/L) and hardness (75–125 mg/L) indicated moderately hard water. Total dissolved solids and total suspended solids ranged from 195–320 mg/L and 22–64 mg/L, respectively, remaining within permissible limits. Nitrate concentrations were low (0.05–0.60 mg/L), suggesting minimal nutrient pollution. The computed overall WQI value was 92.16, categorizing the lake water as “Very Good” according to CCME classification. The findings indicate that Begum Talab Lake water is largely protected and suitable for drinking purposes with minimal treatment. However, continuous monitoring and proper management practices are recommended to maintain long-term water quality sustainability

A Discrete Preference Report on Population and Development Issues in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Mixed-methods Analysis of Environmental Illiteracy, Sexual Health Risks and Substance Abuse among Youth

Background and Aim: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) possesses a, uniquely, youthful population approximately 65%, compared to other continents, yet the potential for a demographic dividend is jeopardized by a complex set of interconnected public health challenges. While a high level of environmental illiteracy, sexual health risks, and substance abuse have often been studied in isolation, this study the following specific objectives are pursued: To assess the level of environmental literacy among SSA youth and evaluate its contribution to environmental pollution and biodiversity loss. To analyze emerging trends in sexual and reproductive health, including the prevalence of transactional sex and shifts in contraceptive use, and to explore associated clinical trends. To investigate the health literacy, perceptions, and key drivers of substance abuse and drug addiction among the youth population. To synthesize the findings from these three domains to propose a holistic framework for integrated public health intervention and policy formulation. Study Design: We employed a convergent mixed-methods design, this research collected integrated quantitative and qualitative sample size of seventy -two respondents (n=72) data from youth across 24 Sub Saharan African countries to analyze the synergistic interactions between these domains. Methods: This study employed a convergent mixed-methods design to investigate the interlinked nature of environmental illiteracy, sexual health risks, and substance abuse among youth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The design is consistent with a syndemic framework, which requires understanding how these challenges cluster and interact under shared socioeconomic pressures Results: The findings reveal a critical disconnect between environmental awareness (90%) and harmful practices, largely attributed to economic despair and externalized responsibility. Economic pressure was the primary driver (88%) of transactional sex, which was strongly linked to substance use, with 22% of engaged youth participating to support a substance habit. Substance abuse was normalized (89%) and driven by peer pressure (95%), mental health challenges (90%), and economic despair (82%). Thematic analysis identified key syndemic pathways, including a cycle of economic desperation and mental health strain. Conclusion: The study concludes that these challenges are not discrete but form an interconnected syndemic fueled by poverty and systemic failures. Consequently, standalone interventions are inherently ineffective. We propose the Integrated Youth Resilience and Empowerment (I-YRE) Framework, advocating for multi-sectoral strategies that combine environmental education, green entrepreneurship, co-located health services, and participatory governance to holistically build youth resilience and achieve sustainable development

Occurrence, Spatial Distribution and Source Assessment of Organophosphate Flame Retardants in Surface Sediments of Afiesere River, Niger Delta, Nigeria

The occurrence, spatial distribution and source assessment of six organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) were investigated in the sediments of the Afiesere River in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. Sediment samples were collected from twelve (12) locations along the river. Samples were subjected to ultrasound-assisted extraction using a 1:1 mixture of dichloromethane and acetonitrile. Thereafter, the extracts were analyzed for OPFRs on a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Regression analysis was used to established if total organic carbon (TOC) influenced the geochemistry of OPFRs in the sediment. Principal component analysis (PCA) and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used to establish the sources of OPFRs in the sediment. The concentrations of ∑6 OPFRs in surface sediments of the Afiesere River varied from 1.12 to 43.5 ng/g and were within the range of those reported in sediments from other river systems around the world. The occurrence pattern of OPFRs was in the order of TCEP > TPTP > TCPP > IDPP > TNBP > RDP. Regression analysis showed a very high correlation (R2 = 0.7273) between ∑6 OPFRs and sediments total organic carbon (TOC) indicating that TOC influenced the geochemistry and fate of OPFRs in the sediments. The Source assessment indicated that OPFRs in sediments of the Afiesere River are from mixed pollution. Further research is needed to determine the impact of the OPFRs in the Afiesere River

Binder Performance in Biochar Densification: Critical Analysis of Trade-offs between Mechanical and Energy Properties and Implications for Developing Countries

The compaction of biochar into briquette form offers a viable method for improving the energy utilization of leftover biomasses, especially in underdeveloped nations. The intrinsically poor cohesiveness of biochar necessitates the use of binders, whose characteristics and ratios directly affect the mechanical, energy, and environmental attributes of the briquettes. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the primary binder types, categorized into organic, mineral, intrinsic, and hybrid classifications, alongside the relevant physicochemical mechanisms, including particle coating, hydrogen bond generation, and thermoplastic phenomena. The investigation indicates that organic binders, including molasses and starch, enhance cohesiveness and augment calorific value, although possess restrictions about their hygroscopicity. Conversely, mineral binders offer substantial mechanical strength at the cost of calorific value. Intrinsic binders, such as lignin, have intriguing possibilities but are contingent upon the conditions of implementation. Hybrid binders present a viable way to enhance these trades-offs. Ultimately, targeted recommendations are presented for Guinea, emphasizing the utilization of local resources and by-products to facilitate the advancement of sustainable solid fuels

Enhancing Horticultural Crop Resilience: Integrating Physiology, Breeding and Management under Climate Change

Horticultural crops—encompassing vegetables, fruits, ornamentals, and condiment species—constitute an indispensable pillar of global food security, human nutrition, and smallholder livelihoods worldwide. Yet these crops remain acutely vulnerable to the multifarious stressors engendered by contemporary climate change, including progressively higher ambient temperatures, increasingly erratic precipitation regimes, elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentrations, and a rising frequency of extreme meteorological events. This review synthesises the current scientific understanding of how these climatic drivers impair fundamental physiological processes in horticultural crops, with particular attention to heat stress, drought, combined abiotic stress interactions, and the modulating influence of elevated CO₂. A systematic approach was adopted to identify, screen, and select literature for this review. Primary searches were conducted in Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed. The primary date range for literature retrieval was January 2000 to March 2026, although seminal foundational papers published prior to 2000 were also included where they provide indispensable conceptual grounding. The review further evaluates the spectrum of breeding strategies—ranging from classical phenotypic selection and marker-assisted breeding to genomic selection and precision genome editing—that have been deployed or show considerable promise for engineering durable climate resilience in horticultural species. In parallel, agronomic and management interventions, encompassing deficit irrigation, soil health stewardship, protected cultivation systems, and crop diversification, are assessed within the broader framework of sustainable intensification. The article advances the central argument that lasting solutions to climate-induced vulnerability in horticulture can only emerge from the deliberate, systems-level integration of physiological knowledge, genetic improvement programmes, and context-sensitive agronomic management. Such integrated frameworks, supported by digital agriculture platforms, precision sensing technologies, and sustained cross-disciplinary collaboration, are essential for securing the productivity, quality, and nutritional integrity of horticultural value chains in a rapidly warming world

Evaluation of the Physicochemical Quality of Industrial Effluents in the City of Moundou in Southern Chad

A substantial proportion of environmental waste arises from industrial activities, much of which comprises hazardous and toxic substances. Untreated industrial effluents have consistently been associated with adverse impacts on both the environment and human health. This study focused on the qualitative assessment of industrial effluents from the city of Moundou discharged into the Logone River. The objective was to determine the physicochemical quality of effluents from Cotontchad, the central slaughterhouse, and Brasseries du Tchad (BDT) and their impact on the Logone River. The pH, temperature, and electrical conductivity were measured in situ. Physicochemical parameters such as COD, BOD5, NO3-, PO43-, SO42-, and heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cr, Fe) were analyzed using spectrophotometric methods. The results are compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) discharge standards. Most of the parameters determined exceed the discharge standards: pH (12.6), electrical conductivity (4270μS/cm), organic matter: COD (1200 mg/L), SO4 (1280 mg/L), PO4 (4460 mg/L), NO3 (63.6 mg/L), Fe (63.34 mg/L), Zn (13.27 mg/L), Pb (4.0 mg/L), Cu (25.34 mg/L), Cd (31.78 mg/L), Cr (5.9 mg/L), Ni (39.5 mg/L). The results obtained revealed a high organic and inorganic load from the discharges of these industries. This shows that industrial effluents from the city of Moundou contribute to the pollution of the Logone River. The industrial effluents received by the Logone River are characterized by significant pollution, which is due to the use of chemicals by manufacturers in the production and manufacturing stages. Finally, based on the results we have found, we propose some solutions on how to eliminate industrial effluents

Effect of Manures and Foliar Application on Quality Parameters and Nutrient Uptake of Organic Blackgram

Aims: The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of organic and liquid manures on the productivity, quality and nutrient response of organic blackgram. Study Design: The experiments were laid out in split plot design with three replications, where the main plot consisting of four treatments and subplot of five treatments. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Agricultural Research station, Bhavanisagar and Wetland farms, Coimbatore, TNAU, Tamil Nadu during kharif, 2022. Methodology: Four organic manures were applied as basal and incorporated (Farm Yard Manure (FYM) @12.5 t ha-1, Vermicompost @ 2.5 t ha-1, Enriched FYM @ 0.75 t ha-1 and Enriched vermicompost @ 1 t ha-1) and sub plot consisting of foliar sprays applied twice at 1st flowering and 10 days after first spray (Panchagavya @ 3%, Fermented Egg Extract @ 5%, Fermented Fish Extract @ 5%, Farmers Effective Microorganisms @ 5% and Jeevamruth @ 5%). Results: At Bhavanisagar, the combination of enriched FYM with Panchagavya spray and at Coimbatore vermicompost with Panchagavya spray recorded highest grain nitrogen (3.67 & 3.63%) grain protein (22.9 & 22.7%), nitrogen uptake (43.1 & 39.9 kg ha-1), phosphorous uptake (11.2 & 10.2 kg ha-1) potassium uptake (59.0 & 55.3 kg ha-1), Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) (1.213 & 1.033 kg kg-1), Partial Factor Productivity (PFP) (31.50 and 26.83 kg kg-1), respectively. In contrast, the Economic NUE (ENUE) was recorded by the combination of enriched FYM with Jeevamruth spray (0.234 and 0.202 kg ₹-1), respectively in both the locations. Conclusion: The study concludes that for higher grain quality and nutrient response, application of enriched FYM or vermicompost as basal and foliar spray of Panchagavya is recommended under extensive organic conditions for Blackgram depending on the resource availability

Methods to Estimate Personal Exposure Levels to Air Pollution from Extensive Stationary Air Quality Dataset and Human Mobility Dataset

Accurately assessing personal exposure to air pollution has long posed a challenge due to limitations in conventional monitoring approaches. Most studies still rely on sparse, stationary regulatory monitors, assigning identical exposure values to individuals regardless of their movements. This approach neglects the dynamic nature of human mobility patterns and activity locations, leading to inferential errors. This method developed an approach by integrating high-resolution global positioning system (GPS) trajectory data from 100 participants with air quality data from 213 PurpleAir low-cost stationary monitors across Eastern North Carolina. Using geostatistical modelling, which is an automated kriging (ordinary kriging) algorithm developed in Python, the method estimates individualised PM2.5 exposure every minute over a 3-day window (two weekdays and one weekend day), which encompasses 129,600-minute points. The study offers an innovative fusion of spatial and temporal data that bridges the gap between environmental sensing and actual human experience, and the result is a transformative methodology that significantly enhances the precision of personal air pollution exposure assessments from stationary air quality sensors

Climate Change Education in Mexico: A Documentary Analysis of Policy, Curriculum and Institutional Frameworks

Climate change is one of the greatest socio-environmental challenges of the 21st century, with significant impacts on ecological, economic and social systems. In this context, education has established itself as a fundamental tool to promote cultural, social and political changes oriented towards sustainability. This article analyzes the role of education as an instrument of transformation in the face of climate change in Mexico, considering its evolution from the international arena to its implementation in the national education system. The research was developed with a qualitative methodology based on documentary analysis, bibliographic review and analysis of public policies related to environmental education and education for sustainable development. International instruments such as the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement and UNESCO recommendations were examined, as well as national regulatory frameworks such as the General Law on Climate Change and the General Law on Education. The results show that Mexico has made progress in incorporating climate education into its institutional and curricular framework; however, challenges remain related to the effective mainstreaming of environmental education, teacher training, and social participation. The results were compared with previous research findings, highlighting the need to strengthen interdisciplinary and community-based approaches to climate education. Finally, it is concluded that education is a strategic instrument to build an informed, resilient climate citizenship committed to adaptation and mitigation to climate change, being essential to strengthen educational policies, scientific research and social participation to face the country\u27s environmental challenges

Soilless Farming: A Method to Produce Quality Vegetables

Soilless farming is an emerging technology utilized to production quality vegetables. The conventional open-field vegetable cultivation needs area, water sources, equipment, and optimal weather condition. In urban areas conventional vegetable cultivation practices is difficult due to limited space, limited fertile arable land and soil is less accessible for plant growth. These issues can be overcome by soil-less cultivation. Soilless farming technology helps in conservation of water and other resources and produce quality vegetables. Soilless farming classified in the four viz., hydroponics, aeroponics, aquaponics and substrate culture. Hydroponics is a method to grow a plant under water-based nutrients solution. Hydroponics system of vegetable cultivation consumes 60% less fertilizers than traditional methods. Aeroponics system plants are suspended in the air and roots are sprayed with a liquid moist nutrient. Aeroponics system widely used in vegetable crops including tomato, lettuce, cucumber, potato, yams, and leafy vegetables. In aquaponics system, farm waste effectively utilized by fish as nutrient source and nutrient-enriched water from the fish tank is used to feed the crop plants. Substrate culture or media are widely used in greenhouse cultivation and container-grown vegetables such as tomato, cucumber, capsicum, lettuce, and leafy greens. Commercial vegetables production using substrate culture such as coir, perlite, rock wool, and vermiculite are used alone or in combination. Soilless farming helps to produce high quality vegetables in the protected cultivation to meet the growing vegetables demand in the global market