This study investigates the vertical distribution of natural radionuclides (238U, 226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th, 40K) and anthropogenic 137Cs in soils surrounding the phosphate mining area of Taïba Ndiaye, Senegal. Using high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry, activity concentrations were measured in twelve (12) stratified soil samples collected near a phosphoric acid production site. The findings reveal relatively low activity concentrations of radionuclides activity concentration compared to international benchmarks and UNSCEAR (2000) global average value. Disequilibrium between 226Ra and 210Pb (APb/ARa > 1) indicates atmospheric deposition of 210Pb potentially linked to radon exhalation from phosphogypsum. Correlations between radionuclide concentrations and soil physicochemical properties highlight their role in radionuclide vertical distribution. Radiological risk was assessed through radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rate (D), and annual effective dose (AEDE), all of which remained significantly below recommended safety thresholds. The results suggest that, despite the phosphate mining activities, the current radiological risk to the environment and public is low, providing a baseline for monitoring future impacts of the phosphate industry.

To investigate the temporal and chemical characteristics of atmospheric particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) in the urban area of Suzhou, China, we conducted a comprehensive study involving sample collection over a three-month period. This research analyzed five water-soluble inorganic anions, fluoride (F−), chloride (Cl−), nitrite (NO2 −), nitrate (NO3 −), and sulfate (SO4 2−) using ion chromatography on PM2.5 and PM10 samples collected during two representative seasons: summer and winter of 2021 and 2022. Our results indicated that PM2.5 concentrations exceeded national grade II standard limits by 27.6%, while PM10 concentrations exceeded these limits by 11.9% during the winter months compared to summer. The concentrations of the measured anions followed the order of magnitude: SO4 2− > NO3 − > Cl− > NO2 − > F−, with significant seasonal variations observed. Notably, SO4 2− exhibited a strong correlation with NO3 − and Cl−, with correlation coefficients reaching 0.89 for PM2.5 and a minimum of 0.81 for PM10, suggesting the presence of ammonium salts. The NO3 −/SO4 2− ratios in PM2.5 were 0.36 in summer and 0.72 in winter, demonstrating that Suzhou was strongly influenced by stationary sources in summer and mobile sources contribute more in winter. The outcomes of the principal component analysis apportioned the sources of water-soluble inorganic anions in PM2.5 to secondary transformation and combustion sources. These results underscore the significant seasonal variations in particulate matter composition and the influence of varying emission sources in urban environments.

Recreational lakes have variable levels of metal contamination. This study focused on a recreational lake located within a university campus in the Jengka area of Pahang, Malaysia. This lake provides leisure opportunities for the campus residents. This study investigates the levels of metals (iron (Fe), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)), determines their potential sources, and predicts the potential health hazards. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) was used to evaluate the metal concentrations. The average metal concentrations were determined in the order of Fe (1.71 mg/l) > Mn (0.69 mg/l) > Zn (0.08 mg/l)> Cu (0.019 mg/l) > Pb (0.013 mg/l). The pollution indices indicated substantial levels of cumulative metal contamination based on the contamination index (Cd) and Nemerow pollution index (NPI). However, single metal contamination is at low levels, according to the metal assessment index (MEI). Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that both anthropogenic and natural sources were responsible for the deposition of the metals. Children are more susceptible to both cancer and non-cancer hazards compared to adults. The study suggests that rigorous monitoring of water quality measures, and comprehensive health risk assessments, are required.

Coastal and intertidal environments have received limited forensic attention, particularly regarding the application of geo-forensic and remote sensing technologies. This review explores the current research on investigating aquatic and semi-aquatic crime scenes. It emphasises the need for search strategies adapted to these settings’ dynamic geophysical and ecological conditions. It evaluates the potential of remote sensing tools, including high-resolution satellite imagery, aerial LiDAR, multispectral sensors, and UAV-based surveys, in detecting and characterising forensic disturbances. Drawing from documented case studies, the review successfully identifies metallic and non-metallic submerged evidence using geo-forensic methods. Finally, it proposes a multidisciplinary, layered search framework that integrates terrestrial and marine approaches, offering a roadmap for refining detection protocols through continued experimental and operational research.

Arsenic contamination in groundwater is a very critical problem in the mid-Gangetic plains of India. This research aims to examine the geochemical parameters, such as oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), dissolved silica content, depth of handpumps/dugwells, and pH along with the soil mineralogical data to assess their impact on Arsenic (As) levels in groundwater. Correlation and regression analyses of various geochemical parameters were performed to understand their interrelationships and individual contributions to arsenic contamination. Study uniquely combines statistical regression modelling with XRD-based soil mineralogical analysis in the same framework to explain As behaviour in groundwater.

Since the comprehensive implementation of the procuratorial public interest litigation system in 2017, Chinese procuratorates have handled more than 400,000 cases in the field of ecological environment and resource protection, accounting for 52% of all public interest litigation cases. Handling such cases often presents considerable challenges, including difficulties in conclusively linking suspects to environmental pollution through laboratory testing alone, complexities in assessing cross-provincial watershed pollution over large areas, and obstacles in reconstructing long-term pollution history in the absence of historical data. To address these recurrent issues—particularly in cases involving extensive geographical regions and prolonged periods of pollution—this study presents a novel methodology based on satellite remote sensing technology, and further applying it in conjunction with analytical chemistry. This approach is demonstrated through two representative case studies: illegal agricultural land occupation and historical relic damage by industrial pollution. The proposed methodology effectively facilitates evidence collection, establishes causal relationships between polluters and environmental damage, and provides critical support in verifying the processes and outcomes of ecological degradation.

222Rn is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is a significant contributor to ionizing radiation exposure from groundwater sources. In this study,222Rn activity concentrations were assessed in groundwater sources (confined and open) across different locations in Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria, and their health implications for different age groups were evaluated. Radon concentrations in forty groundwater samples from open and confined sources were measured using the RAD7 detector with RAD7-H2O accessories. The results indicate significant variations in radon levels between confined and open water sources. For open water sources, the total annual effective doses ranged from 9.2 to 300.9 µSv/y for infants, 6.7 to 218.8 µSv/y for children, and 5.2 to 169.5 µSv/y for adults. For confined water sources, annual effective doses ranged from 3.8 to 1084.6 µSv/y for infants, 2.8 to 788.6 µSv/y for children, and 2.13 to 142.1 µSv/y for adults. The study reveals that 60% of confined groundwater sources exceeded international safety thresholds, with probabilistic risk modeling demonstrating significant age-dependent variations. Infants exhibited the highest excess lifetime cancer risks (ELCRs; mean: 1.02 × 10−4; 95th percentile: 3.26 × 10−4) in confined systems − 3.2 times greater than open sources. Advanced computational analysis of dose distributions showed confined sources produced substantially higher exposures (total dose: 92.71 µSv/y) compared to open sources (28.66 µSv/y), though remaining below the 100 µSv/y safety limit. The risk modeling framework, incorporating age-specific physiological parameters and exposure scenarios, particularly highlighted infants’ heightened vulnerability due to their elevated dose conversion factors. These findings reveal the need for prioritized monitoring of confined water systems and implementation of aeration technologies in high-risk areas, with special consideration given to protecting vulnerable pediatric populations through targeted intervention strategies.

The Soummam River, a major watercourse in Algeria and a tributary of the Mediterranean Sea, faces multiple anthropogenic pressures. This study is the first to assess the distribution, levels, ecological and health risks of nine heavy metals (Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, and As) in its sediments and identify potential sources. Contamination and enrichment were evaluated using the contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), enrichment factor (EF), and geo-accumulation Index (Igeo), which consistently indicated low to moderate contamination for most metals but very high contamination for Cd. Ecological risk (ER) assessment revealed very high risk at seven stations. Cancer risk was moderate for adults (Ni) and high for children (Ni and Cd), while non-cancer risk was negligible except for children concerning Fe. Likely sources included mining, agriculture, vehicles, and industrial activities.

Heavy metals in soil surrounding smelters pose significant health risks to nearby communities. This study aimed to quantify the contributions of different pollution sources and visualize the spatial distribution of health risks in a representative smelter region. Ten surface soil samples from a non-ferrous smelter area in Baiyin, China, were analyzed for 15 heavy metals. The average levels of lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) significantly exceeded the national standard limit. Source identification revealed three primary pollution origins: waste slag accumulation source, raw material dust exhaust gas source, and mine diagenetic source. The health risks of Pb, As, and Cd were unacceptable for the surrounding residents, with children more vulnerable than adults. The high-risk areas include the sintering workshop, raw material yard, hazardous waste storage area, and the foot of the mine. These findings emphasize the need to implement differentiated risk management strategies in smelting areas, particularly with intensified interventions in identified high-risk areas.