This study aims to evaluate the current knowledge about the biological effects and the sources responsible for drinking water contamination in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. For this purpose, this review article has summarized data extracted from various national and international journals and relevant reports published by government and non-governmental organizations. The KP province faces water pollution as a major public health problem. This review shows a detailed layout of the water quality with special emphasis on major pollutants, pollution sources, and their impacts on public health. The study revealed that drinking water sources in KP province are highly polluted with microbes and heavy metals. The physicochemical parameters were noted above the World Health Organization’s permissible limits. The trend of toxic metals has been reported as Fe > Ni > Pb > Cd > Cr in the drinking water of KP. An overview of relevant reports and published articles reported the presence of Coliform bacteria (CB) in the drinking water of Peshawar (1740 MPN/100), Abbottabad (2–600 MPN/100), Nowshera (2–1800 MPN/100), Charsadda (5–1600 MPN/100), Swabi (21 MPN/100), and the Northern Areas (38 MPN/100). The study highlighted those key sources responsible for water contamination are anthropogenic activities such as improper waste handling and agricultural inputs. Various health problems, such as diarrhea, dysentery, other gastrointestinal problems, and skin diseases, have been reported due to waterborne diseases. To shrink the risk of waterborne diseases, it is important to enhance the monitoring and sustainable techniques for the effective management of water resources.

Using the mathematical tools of convective filtration theory, the experimental data on the change in the specific capacity of a tubular microfiltration ceramic membrane made of clay mineral in the process of water purification from Al(III) compounds were analyzed. The mechanism and conditions of the formation of a dynamic membrane from Al(III) hydroxo compounds in the studied microfiltration process were established, and its role in improving purification efficiency and ensuring high permeate quality by the content of aluminum compounds was demonstrated. The study was carried out on a model AlCl3 solution with an Al(ІІІ) concentration of 65 mg/dm3 and pH of 7 at a working pressure of 1.0 MPa. Based on the results of this study, the processing of kinetic data was performed. Using the Darcy and Hagen–Poiseuille equations for constant-pressure filtration, the mechanism of the formation of a dynamic membrane under the above-specified conditions was established. It has been shown that, in the process of water purification from Al(III) on the ceramic membrane, its specific capacity decreases with time due to the precipitation of insoluble hydrolyzed Al(III) forms (hydroxo compounds) onto its surface. It has been established that, in this process, the filtration mechanism is changed from the gradual clogging of pores with several particles to the deposition of a precipitate from Al(III) hydroxo compounds onto the microfilter surface with the formation of a dynamic membrane. To decrease the size of pores and improve the selective properties of the microfiltration ceramic membrane made of clay minerals, its modification via the formation of a dynamic membrane from hydroxo compounds of metals on its surface in the process of water purification from these compounds was proposed.

This study evaluates the variability of water quality in the Hirakud dam reservoir by analyzing thirteen key parameters. There exist significant seasonal variations in both reservoir and seepage water. The results indicate that most parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and total dissolved solids (TDS), were elevated during the summer months due to factors such as geological composition, evaporation, and anthropogenic inputs from the Ib-Jharsuguda valley. The Langelier saturation index (LSI) indicates that reservoir water was corrosive during winter, spring, and summer, as it was unsaturated with CaCO3, leading to potential concrete deterioration. Conversely, during the monsoon, CaCO3 precipitation provided a protective layer, reduces the corrosiveness. The aggressive index (AI) corroborated these findings, showing moderate corrosiveness in winter, spring, and summer, and non-corrosiveness in the monsoon. The Ryznar stability index (RSI) further supported the LSI and AI results, highlighting seasonal stability and corrosivity, with CaCO3 precipitation observed in the monsoon. Seepage water from the dam’s foundation gallery exhibits higher chloride and sulfate concentrations during summer compared to reservoir water. Elevated pH values indicated increased alkalinity and ongoing leaching from concrete, which may impact concrete integrity and rebar corrosion. Overall, while reservoir water quality meets standards, seepage water poses corrosion risks to concrete structures. Regular monitoring of concrete strength and rebar condition is recommended. Establishing a comprehensive water quality assessment system and extending the study period are essential for understanding long-term impacts and tracking water quality trends.

The present work focuses on the treatment of model wastewater that simulates industrial pharmaceutical effluent. Paracetamol (PCT) is the most widely consumed medicine, particularly during the fight against the Corona virus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and is therefore one of the most persistent contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. In this study, the degradation of PCT was investigated using the conventional homogeneous Fenton reaction (H2O2/Fe2+) in a batch reactor operating at an ambient temperature with a degradation time of 60 min. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed by monitoring the removal of total organic carbon (TOC). The study investigated the effect of the key process variables: A: pH, B: [H2O2]/[PCT], and C: [H2O2]/[Fe2+]. The influence of these variables was systematically examined utilizing a Box−Behnken design (BBD) with a 3-level 3-factor configuration and response surface methodology. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) for TOC removal efficiency by BBD model shows that the model is significant. The model F-value is 41.71 and the p-value is 0.0004. The model was fit with an R2 of 0.9869 and an adjusted R2 of 0.9632. The ideal process conditions were determined as pH = 3, [H2O2]/[PCT] = 15, [H2O2]/[Fe2+] = 16, with a TOC elimination rate of 33.40%. The results show how to make the Fenton process work better and how to get rid of PCT more efficiently. This research could lead to new ways to treat wastewater and clean up the environment.

The study reveals the seasonal variation of physicochemical parameters and their functional dynamics on plankton density, diversity, richness, and evenness in Kodiakarai (also known as Point Calimere) wetland Bird Sanctuary. Quantitative samples were collected every month from September 2021 to June 2022 at Kodiakkarai, Bay of Bengal (BOB) coast. Statistical analyses of physicochemical parameters: temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, and silicate were performed. The significant variation across seasons as well as the high influence of physicochemical changes of plankton productivity were observed. A total of 40 species: viz. 28 species of Bacillariophyceae, 7 species of Dinophyceae, 2 species of Cyanophyceae and 3 species of Chlorophyceae were recorded in station I; whereas 34 species: viz. 22 species of Bacillariophyceae, 6 species of Dinophyceae, 4 species of Cyanophyceae and 2 species of Chlorophyceae were recorded in station II. In both stations, calanoid was found (40%) dominated, further 32% of Cyclopoida and 28% of Harpacticoida were recorded in station I; whereas 35% of Cyclopoida and 25% of Harpacticoida were recorded in station II. Therefore, a total of 25 and 20 species were recorded during the study period. The statistical analysis of plankton species, including the Shannon−Wiener diversity index, Simpson’s richness index, and Pielou’s evenness index, revealed higher values during the summer season and lower values during the monsoon season. The study found that the productivity of the Kodiakarai wetland contributes on dietary of about a hundred bird species, annually. Among the bird species, a major portion of large wading bird dominance was noted in the Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary during the study period.

In classical chemistry, a chemical bond arises from the distribution of electron density between atoms. However, quantum-mechanical models suggest that vibrational states of nuclei also play an active role in forming stable structures. Atomic nuclei in a molecule undergo quantum oscillations within potential wells shaped by the electron cloud and neighboring nuclei. These oscillations exhibit characteristic frequencies that depend on the nuclear mass and the form of the potential, as well as a spatiotemporal structure expressed through vibrational wave functions. When two or more nuclei in a system possess similar or commensurate vibrational frequencies, resonance interaction between them can emerge. This resonance may increase coherence time, minimize the energy of the vibrational subsystem, and induce effective interactions without electron participation. In a water molecule, nuclear coherence plays a key role in enhancing the stability of its geometry. This property of the water molecule becomes especially significant under conditions of strong ionization, when electrons are almost absent and classical orbital models lose applicability. In high-temperature environments, water maintains structural integrity through harmonic nuclear oscillations with phase coherence. In biomolecular systems, water provides the background of coherent vibrations that sustain the stability of complex biochemical structures. Thus, the water molecule serves as a universal model that demonstrates the action of the nuclear vibrational resonance mechanism as one of the fundamental principles of chemical bonding. Water not only preserves coherence under the destabilization of electron clouds but also gives a platform for energetic interactions between molecules.

This paper deals with the results of studying the seasonal dynamics of organochlorine pesticides (OCP) in river water with consideration for the physicochemical properties of individual compounds. It is shown that seasonal variability of concentrations for some OCP groups is caused by different mechanisms of physicochemical processes occurring in an aquatic system. It has been established that the content of more hydrophobic and poorly soluble compounds from the dichlorodiphenyl trichloroethane (DDT) group depends predominantly on sorption and photochemical degradation processes, whereas the distribution of less hydrophobic and more soluble hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers is determined by the equilibrium between the dissolved, sorbed, and gaseous phases. Among all the organochlorine pesticides, particular attention is paid to δ-HCH demonstrating increased mobility and transportability over long distances in a water medium due to its unique physicochemical properties (hydrophobicity constant, distribution coefficient logarithm log KOW, high solubility in water, moderate volatility, and low Henry constant). The mechanisms of photoisomerization and dechlorination with participation of humic and fulvic acids (humic acids), which may influence on the formation of DDT transformation products, are proposed. The obtained results are of practical importance for environmental risk assessment, OCP migration prediction, and the development of aquatic ecosystem monitoring strategies.

The study investigates the process of ammonia leaching of copper, zinc, and nickel from solid electroplating sludge. The research determines the kinetics and optimal conditions for copper extraction from the sludge, including ammonia concentration, pH, and solution temperature, and establishes, using copper as an example, the regimes of electroextraction that yield metal of high purity. The results show that equilibrium formation depends only slightly on solution temperature, which characterizes processes with external diffusion kinetics. At an ammonia concentration above 10 wt %, up to 99% of copper salts dissolve, and the copper ion concentration reaches 12 g/dm3. In contrast, the concentrations of nickel and zinc in the sludge remain much lower, and at equilibrium their concentrations reach 1.2 and 2.4 g/dm3, respectively. Copper deposits on the cathode as a dense, compact layer. At a current density of 1.5 A/dm2 and a copper concentration in the solution above 5 g/dm3, the current efficiency of copper approaches 100%.

Water pollution poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, requiring effective remediation strategies. This study investigates the use of jowar straw nanobiochar (JNBC) as a bio-adsorbent for camphor removal from water, optimizing its performance using response surface methodology (RSM). JNBC, with a particle size of 71.8 nm and a zeta potential of –46.5 mV, was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). XRD peak shifts and SEM observations confirmed successful camphor adsorption, with new FTIR peaks appearing post-adsorption. Using central composite design (CCD), optimal conditions for 96% camphor removal were identified: pH 6, initial camphor concentration 60 mg/L, surfactant (Tergitol) concentration 4 mg/L, and contact time 120 min. Experimental results matched the model predictions (desirability value = 0.972). The adsorption data fit well with the Langmuir isotherm model, while the pseudo-second-order kinetic model showed excellent precision. JNBC maintained 74% removal efficiency over six regeneration cycles, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable and effective adsorbent for environmental remediation.

Microplastics are spread widely in aquatic environments, and it is a growing threat to the ecosystem. It is important to remove microplastics from wastewater, hence successful technology is required. Various techniques are used such as physical, chemical, and biological approaches to remove the microplastics present in the wastewater. One of the techniques is the membrane filtration method to remove the plastic but it creates membrane fouling and replacing a new membrane frequently is expensive. Another method of microplastic removal is biodegradation. However, biological method takes a longer time for degradation and its efficiency is very low. Hence an electrochemical and adsorption method has been adopted to remove the microplastics present in the wastewater. Aluminum–stainless steel (Al–SS) and iron–copper (Fe–Cu) electrodes were used to study the microplastic removal using the electrocoagulation process. The removal percentage was 85.5% for Al–SS and 92.5% for the Fe–Cu electrode. An adsorption technique has also been attempted using magnetic iron oxide as an adsorbent and 96% removal of microplastics was achieved. A quantitative technique has been proposed to measure the microplastic present before and after the treatment process.