Sustainable Water Research Articles

Appraisal of Fish Health Assessment Index in Three Major Reservoirs in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria

Increased anthropogenic activities and chemical contaminants in Ekiti State reservoirs have substantial effects on the reservoirs’ fish, which are valuable indicators of the health of the aquatic environments. The aim of the study was comparatively assessing the probable environmental deterioration in Egbe, Ero and Ureje reservoirs using the fish Health Assessment Index (HAI). Blood component analysis, necropsy data, and parasite index were used to compute HAI. Haematocrit values were not within the normal range in 78.85% (Ureje reservoir), 73.47% (Egbe reservoir), 57.38% (Ero reservoir), and endoparasite were present in 32.69%, 26.53% and 44.26% of fish examined from Ureje, Egbe, Ero reservoirs. Abnormalities of eyes, fins, skin, and liver were observed in a small proportion in the fish from the reservoirs. HAI of Oreochromis niloticus in the reservoirs was in order of Ureje reservoir (31.15 ± 2.81) > Egbe reservoir (29.39 ± 2.57) > Ero reservoir (25.00 ± 2.43). Condition factor of fish was in order of Ero (2.07 ± 0.03) > Egbe (1.98 ± 0.01) > Ureje (1.97 ± 0.01). In comparison to control site, reservoirs’ fish were in deplorable conditions as evidenced by HAI. Therefore, HAI is useful as an early indicator of the well-being of the aquatic ecosystems, in order to enhance the sustainability of the aquatic resources and also to compare the health status of fish from different aquatic environments.

Agroforestry Systems: A Pathway to Resilient and Productive Landscapes

Agroforestry, the integration of trees, crops, and livestock on the same land, offers a sustainable approach to enhancing agricultural productivity while mitigating environmental challenges. This review highlights the important role agroforestry systems play in promoting resilient and productive landscapes, particularly in the face of climate change, land degradation, and biodiversity loss. Agroforestry systems, including alley cropping, silvopasture, and home gardens, provide significant ecological benefits such as carbon sequestration, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved soil health, water conservation, and enhanced biodiversity. These systems not only stabilize microclimates and reduce soil erosion but also improve soil fertility and water infiltration, making them vital for climate adaptation. Socio-economically, agroforestry diversifies income sources for smallholder farmers by generating products like timber, fruits, and fodder, while contributing to food security through year-round crop availability and improved nutrition. Despite these benefits, the adoption of agroforestry faces substantial barriers, including socio-cultural resistance, knowledge gaps, inadequate policy support, and limited access to markets and credit. High initial costs, perceived risks, and competition for resources between trees and crops further impede its widespread implementation. Addressing these challenges requires enhancing extension services, policy reforms, financial incentives, and market access to support smallholder farmers. Future directions emphasize integrating agroforestry into national agricultural policies and climate action plans, supported by research on optimizing species selection, pest management, and sustainable resource use. By the synergies between agroforestry, regenerative agriculture, and Sustainable Development Goals, agroforestry presents a viable pathway for transforming agricultural systems into more resilient, productive, and sustainable models. Scaling up agroforestry can help restore degraded lands, sequester carbon, and enhance the livelihoods of rural communities, contributing to global efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable development.

Spatiotemporal Assessment of Water Quality and Quantity of the Kaptai Lake at Rangamati, Bangladesh - An Approach of Remote Sensing, Field Investigation and Laboratory Analysis

Monitoring water quality and quantity is essential for sustainable water resource management. This study investigates changes in the extent and water quality of Kaptai Lake using remote sensing, field measurements, and laboratory analysis. Analysis of Landsat TM/OLI images from 1989, 2000, 2010, and 2021 shows that the lake's water extent ranges from 380 km² (in 2010) to 435 km² (in 2021), with an average of 407.5 km². The extent of water decreased by approximately 3% from 1989 to 2010 and increased by about 5% from 2010 to 2021 due to changing rainfall patterns, dam operations, sedimentation, and land use changes. Seasonal variations in chlorophyll-a concentration and turbidity, analyzed using Sentinel 2B images from 2022 and 2023, indicate mesotrophic to eutrophic conditions and higher turbidity in post-monsoon. The study found that nutrient enrichment from untreated sewage, agricultural runoff, and algal growth affect chlorophyll-a levels, while development activities, excessive rainfall, and sedimentation influence turbidity. Linear regression analyses show strong positive correlation between field obtained and image derived values both for chlorophyll-a (R2 0.621) and turbidity (R2 0.698). Physico-chemical parameters such as pH, EC and temperature have been measured in the field and hydrochemical parameters including, cations and anions have been measured by laboratory analysis to assess the contemporary water quality status. The average values for pH, EC and temperature are 7.55, 119.85 µS/cm and 22.17 °C respectively. The cationic dominance in the studied segment of the Lake is in the order of Ca2+ > Na2+ > Mg2+>K+ > Fe2+ >Mn2+. On the other hand, the anions are in the order of HCO3- > SO42- > Cl- > NO3-. All the physico-chemical parameters of the lake water fall within the Bangladesh Drinking Water Limit (BDWL) and are not linked to chlorophyll-a and turbidity variations. The findings of this study can help mitigate the deterioration of Kaptai Lake by addressing water quality and extent issues, promoting effective and sustainable lake management strategies. The Dhaka University Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 13(1), 2024, P 121-139

Covalent Organic Frameworks for Photocatalysis.

The global energy crisis and environmental concerns are driving research into renewable energy and sustainable energy conversion and storage technologies. Solar energy, as an ideal sustainable resource, has significant potential to contribute to the goal of net-zero carbon emissions if effectively harnessed and converted into a reliable and storable form of energy. Photocatalysts have the potential to convert sunlight into chemical energy carriers. In this respect, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have shown great promise due to their tunable structure on different length scales, high surface areas, and beneficial optical properties such as broad visible light absorption. This review offers a comprehensive overview of the key developments in COF-based photocatalysts for various applications, including water splitting, hydrogen peroxide generation, organic transformations, and carbon dioxide and nitrogen reduction. The underlying mechanisms, essential principles for material design, and structure-function relationships of COFs in various photocatalytic applications are discussed. The challenges faced by COF-based photocatalysts are also summarized and various strategies to enhance their performance are explained, such as improving crystallinity, regulating molecular structures, tailoring linkages, and incorporating cocatalysts. Finally, critical strategies are proposed for the utilization of photocatalytically generated chemicals into value-added products.

Advanced Low–Cost Natural Materials for High–Performance Oil–Water Filtration Membranes: Achievements, Challenges, and Future Directions

The development of affordable ceramic membranes is essential for reducing expenses and optimizing the treatment of oily wastewater. There is an urgent demand for membranes that are not only affordable and easy to operate but also stable and capable of managing high fluxes to address the increasing volumes of oily wastewater. The significant production demands associated with many commercially available ceramic membranes, primarily due to the use of specialised raw materials and intricate processing methods, limiting their suitability for many wastewater treatment applications. Consequently, there is a rising interest in creating innovative ceramic membranes using affordable materials and simpler production techniques. This study reviewed the oil–water ceramic membranes utilizing affordable natural ceramic materials aimed at improving membrane performance. It focused on reviewing the environmentally friendly and economically viable membranes derived from natural ceramic resources as an alternative to conventional synthetic membranes. These natural ceramic materials possess crucial properties like hydrophilicity and oleophobicity, which are vital for effective oil–water separation. The ceramic membranes were reviewed for their filtration performance and advantages. It was reported that these natural ceramic material-based membranes demonstrate superior separation efficiency, and strong mechanical stability, making them promising candidates for sustainable water treatment.

GAIA: A New Formula for Reference Evapotranspiration

Estimating evapotranspiration is crucial for irrigation and agricultural applications. Although the FAO-56 Penman–Monteith method is highly accurate under conditions of abundant data, its extensive requirements limit its practical application. In the Mediterranean region, most empirical formulas used to estimate evapotranspiration are temperature-based and require calibration to be effective. The current study aims to introduce a novel formula to determine reference evapotranspiration using temperature, relative humidity, and extraterrestrial radiation daily in the Mediterranean region and evaluate its performance. Multi-linear regression was applied to agrometeorological data from the California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) to develop the ETo formula. The formula was then validated using data from 252 stations in four countries (Greece, Spain, Portugal, and Cyprus) over the growing period of six years (2018–2023). The GAIA formula consistently outperformed formulas with the same or fewer variables, including Berti and Ahooghalaandari, across all metrics. The largest differences were observed in RMSE and the index of agreement. There is a strong correlation between GAIA and the FAO-56 Penman–Monteith formula (coefficient of determination = 0.88). While the GAIA formula shows a high coefficient of determination, its performance is somewhat lower than that of Copais and Valiatzas, particularly in terms of Pearson correlation and the coefficient of determination. A key difference is that Copais and Valiatzas rely on incoming solar radiation, whereas GAIA uses extraterrestrial radiation. Relative humidity was found to be the most influential variable, accounting for over 71% of the variance in ETo. Effective evapotranspiration (ETo) calculation methodologies, especially in areas with limited agrometeorological data, can significantly enhance irrigation system efficiency and promote sustainable water management. The GAIA formula offers a cost-effective method for estimating reference evapotranspiration (ETo) during the growing season with enhanced accuracy, eliminating the need for expensive equipment. However, its primary limitation is that it is validated in the Mediterranean region and within a specific geographical latitude range.

Optimized Evaluations of Irrigation Profits and Balance of Irrigation Water Demand and Supply Under Climate Change

Optimizing irrigation profit is essential for enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring sustainable water resource management, especially under the uncertainties caused by climate variability. It signifies that maximizing irrigation profits has become the primary consideration of current agricultural irrigation systems. By discussing the change in irrigation profits with irrigation fraction , which represents the proportion of irrigated farmland per unit area of cultivated land, a new method of qualitative diagnosis of irrigation supply and demand balance was proposed by means of the optimal irrigation fraction corresponding to the objective function and the correlation coefficient between irrigation water demand anomalies and irrigation water withdrawal anomalies (). It will serve as a new attempt to optimize irrigation profits. We argue that the optimal objective function represents the state of equilibrium of irrigation supply and demand. This study proposes a reverse optimization idea, which includes two comparison methods, to estimate the comprehensively optimal irrigation fraction that maximizes irrigation profits and irrigation profit per unit area while minimizing risks associated with climatic anomalies. By demonstrating that performs exceptionally well in meeting the objectives of maximizing irrigation profits and minimizing risks across various climatic scenarios, we suggest a robust method for optimizing irrigation profits, which simply calculates because is the function of . Since could capture the optimal solution to the greatest extent. It can serve as a simple and effective solution to determine the optimal objective function and diagnose the state of balance between irrigation water demand and supply. This method offers practical implications for water resource management and agricultural planning in the face of climate change.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Build Climate Models to Improve Weather Forecasting as Torrential Rains, Floods and Droughts Proliferate Across the Vast Country

Global warming has triggered more intense clashes of weather systems in India in recent years, increasing extreme weather events, which the independent Centre for Science and Environment estimates have killed nearly 3,000 people this year. Weather agencies around the world are focussing on AI, which can bring down cost and improve speed, and with a recent Google-funded model found to have outperformed conventional methods. Accurate weather forecasting is particularly crucial in India, a country of 1.4 billion people, many impoverished, and the world's second-largest producer of rice, wheat and sugar Using AI with an expanded observation network could help generate higher-quality forecast data at lower cost. The increasing frequency and intensity of torrential rains, floods, and droughts due to climate change present significant challenges to weather forecasting and disaster preparedness. Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers transformative potential in building advanced climate models to address these challenges. By integrating vast datasets, including satellite imagery, historical weather records, and real-time sensor data, AI enhances the accuracy and resolution of climate predictions. Machine learning algorithms can identify complex patterns, simulate localized weather phenomena, and predict extreme weather events with greater precision. This paper explores the role of AI-driven climate models in improving weather forecasting, enabling proactive responses to mitigate the impacts of climate-induced disasters across diverse regions. Enhanced forecasting through AI not only safeguards lives and livelihoods but also supports sustainable resource management in the face of escalating climate uncertainties

Comparison between produced Tingui biochar versus commercial Norit in the adsorption of acetaminophen and diclofenac: characterization, batch, and fixed bed system

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn pressing environmental challenges, practical solutions to remove organic contaminants from water are paramount. This study undertook a crucial task of comparing two adsorbents: BT‐KOH, synthesized from Tingui bark activated with potassium hydroxide, and Norit commercial carbon. The comparison was based on experimental data from adsorption kinetics and isotherm tests in batch and fixed bed systems, targeting the removal of acetaminophen and diclofenac. Physico‐chemical characterization analyses of the materials were also conducted to enhance the comparison.RESULTSThe study's key finding was the superior performance of BT‐KOH over Norit in removing acetaminophen and diclofenac. The maximum adsorption capacities for acetaminophen were 357.7 mg g−1 for BT‐KOH and 226.3 mg g−1 for Norit. For diclofenac, these values were 250.6 mg g−1 for BT‐KOH and 220.9 mg g−1 for Norit. This superiority was attributed to BT‐KOH's larger specific surface area and higher quantities of oxygen‐containing functional groups.CONCLUSIONThe result underscores the importance of considering the physical–chemical composition of materials in the quest for more effective and sustainable water treatment methods. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Trial of fog and rainwater harvesting to alleviate water scarcity in the agricultural highlands of the Galapagos Islands

ABSTRACT The Galapagos Islands faces complex challenges to protect its endemic biodiversity against anthropogenic decline while simultaneously improving the welfare and livelihoods of a growing resident community. For instance, alternative mechanisms for water provision across the impoverished agricultural highlands of Santa Cruz are being urgently sought. To this end, this study presents the results of the largest-ever trial of fog and rainwater harvesting technologies across the region, focusing on their potential role in contributing to a regional sustainable water supply. The water yields from 16 installations (eight fog harvesting and eight rainwater harvesting) were continuously monitored for a period of 10 months. The results demonstrated the influence of rainfall on the yields from both technologies, though fog harvesting volumes were less adversely impacted by drier months. The results indicate that while rainwater harvesting provides larger and more consistent yields, fog harvesting offers a viable alternative, particularly in remote locations or where rainwater harvesting is impractical. While practical considerations such as storage availability and economic burden are critical, this study demonstrates the substantial role that off-grid water supply mechanisms can play in enhancing the resilience of Galapagos’ agricultural zones.

Librarians’ perceptions and use of open access resources for economic sustainability in selected university libraries in Kwara State, Nigeria

Purpose Open access (OA) resources are free to access and help in research and teaching/learning, allowing libraries to manage resources more sustainably and effectively. Hence, this study aims to examine use of OA resources for economic sustainability among librarians in selected university libraries in Kwara State, Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts descriptive survey research design. Using total enumeration sampling technique, a sample of 46 professional librarians were drawn from the selected universities. Questionnaire was used for data collection, and descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. Findings The findings show that most of the librarians had high level of awareness about OA resources. Results demonstrate that majority of the librarians used PubMed Central bi-weekly. Findings show that the librarians used OA resources to support academic research, enhance library’s collection without additional cost and facilitate information access for users with limited financial resources. Results indicate that most of the librarians perceived that OA resources impact library’s operational cost and goal of economic sustainability. Practical implications This study highlights the need for targeted training and resource development to enhance the effective use of OA resources. Meanwhile, the consistent usage of OA resources suggests the importance of the resources to librarians, aligning with previous studies on frequent use of established OA repositories. Originality/value This study provides evidence on the relevance and impact of OA resources use on economic sustainability, demonstrating the importance of OA resources in knowledge dissemination and fostering innovation.

Leveraging Loss Aversion and Self-Efficacy: The Role of Water Pricing and Risk in Driving Individual Innovation for Sustainable Water Consumption

Water scarcity is a growing global challenge, requiring effective management strategies to ensure sustainable water use, particularly in regions like West Dorset, U.K., where rising prices and environmental pressures make sustainable consumption practices essential. This study develops and empirically tests an integrated theoretical framework combining Prospect Theory (PT) and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) to examine the mechanisms driving household water conservation. Using structural equation modelling on data from 429 residents in West Dorset (response rate 78.3%), we investigated how water pricing (WP) and perceived water risk (PWR) influence sustainable water consumption through individual innovativeness (II) and community engagement (CE), with environmental regulations (ERs) as a moderator. The results revealed significant positive effects of WP and PWR on individual innovativeness, which, in turn, strongly predicted community engagement. The relationship between these factors and sustainable water consumption was significantly moderated by ERs. This study makes three key contributions: Firstly, it empirically validates an integrated PT-SCT framework in water conservation behavior. Secondly, it identifies the crucial mediating role of II in translating price and risk perceptions into community action; and lastly, it demonstrates how regulatory frameworks can enhance or inhibit conservation outcomes. These findings inform policy recommendations for tiered pricing structures, community-based conservation initiatives, and adaptive regulatory frameworks. This study provides a comprehensive model for understanding and promoting sustainable water consumption in water-stressed regions worldwide.

Interannual and Seasonal Variability of CO2 Parameters in the Tropical Atlantic Ocean

This study examined the carbon cycling dynamics in the tropical Atlantic Ocean from 1985 to 2023, focusing on factors influencing the surface partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2), freshwater input, total alkalinity (ALK), total dissolved carbon (TCO2), and pH levels. The time series data revealed significant trends, with average pCO2 concentrations rising from approximately 350 μatm in the early 1990s to over 400 μatm by 2023. The TCO2 levels increased from about 2000 μmol/kg to 2200 μmol/kg, while ALK rose from approximately 2300 μmol/kg to 2500 μmol/kg. This increase highlights the ocean’s role as a carbon sink, particularly in areas with high biological productivity and upwelling where TCO2 also rose. This study employed Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs) to identify variability modes and understand spatial patterns of pCO2. Freshwater dynamics significantly affect TCO2 concentrations, particularly in coastal regions, where pH can shift from 8.2 to 7.9, exacerbating acidification. Rising sea surface temperatures have been linked to elevated pCO2 values. These findings support the need for ongoing monitoring and effective management strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure the sustainability of marine resources. This study documented the long-term trends in tropical Atlantic CO2 parameters linked to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO).

Dampak Perdagangan Bebas Bagi Ekspor Produk Tuna dan Cakalang Indonesia

The open trading system without restrictions, known as free trade, allows for increased product competitiveness in international markets. Tuna and skipjack commodities are Indonesia's flagship products and play a significant role in fisheries exports. This study investigates the impact of free trade on tuna and skipjack exports, identifies challenges, and explores appropriate management strategies. The findings reveal that Indonesia faces challenges such as global competition, threats to the sustainability of marine resources due to overfishing, and demands to meet international standards. However, free trade offers opportunities to expand markets and reduce tariff barriers. The use of technology, supply chain digitalization, and innovation are crucial to enhancing efficiency and product competitiveness. To sustain marine resource conservation and maintain Indonesia's position as a leading tuna producer globally, the government must implement regulations and collaborate with industry stakeholders. Through a comprehensive strategic approach, Indonesia can preserve marine ecosystem sustainability while continuing to increase the contribution of tuna and skipjack exports to the national economy.

Groundwater potential zones delineation in Oued Zdin basin using GIS, RS and hierarchical analysis process

Water scarcity poses a significant challenge, particularly in regions with limited rainfall such as Algeria, where groundwater plays a crucial role in supporting both daily life and economic activities. This research aims to evaluate the groundwater potential in the Oued Zdin basin in northern Algeria by utilizing advanced geomatics methods, particularly the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Through the integration of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the study incorporates multiple datasets, including rainfall patterns, topography, geology, drainage networks, land use, and hydrological data to assess areas with high groundwater potential. By applying AHP, the study assigns relative importance to these factors, creating a groundwater potential map that classifies the region into very high, high, low, and poor potential zones. The results indicate that 7% of the basin has very high potential for groundwater recharge, 33% has high potential, while 56% is categorized as low potential, and 4% falls under poor potential. The accuracy of the results is validated through comparison with existing well data, which aligns with the identified high-potential zones. The research demonstrates that combining GIS, RS, and AHP is an effective approach for mapping groundwater potential, offering valuable insights for sustainable water resource management in areas experiencing water scarcity. This methodology presents a scalable model that can be applied to similar regions facing groundwater challenges.

Effects of Temperature and Pressing Time on Flexural Properties of Binderless Chipboards from Coconut Chip

Coconut husk materials have become emerging candidates for the industry of furniture and housing due to their properties and abundance in tropical regions. This study explores using coconut chips, a sustainable and biodegradable resource as an alternative material to produce eco-friendly fibrous boards. The binderless chipboards were fabricated from coconut chips using compression molding at different pressing temperatures and times. The binderless chipboards’ thickness, density, and flexural properties were investigated. Results indicate that higher pressing temperatures and longer pressing times result in reduced thickness, lower density, and improved modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE). Based on the findings of this study, it is suggested that binderless chipboards produced under optimized conditions could offer a viable alternative to traditional wood based particleboards.

Evaluating the Share of Atmospheric Deposition of Priority Pollutants Cadmium and Lead in Soil Pollution with the Use of Ombrotrophic Peat Bogs as Natural Archives

Sustainable soil resource management requires detailed knowledge of soil pollution sources and their share in total pollution level. Spatial pollution caused by the total cumulative atmospheric deposition remains largely unknown, as the biggest pollutant emissions occurred in XIX/XX centuries. The use of ombrotrophic peatlands that are specific isolated ecosystems fed only through atmospheric deposition may serve as its natural archives. Accumulation of Cd and Pb from atmospheric deposition in undisturbed soil layers in relation to their total deposited cumulative loads recorded in the ombrotrophic peat bog was exemplified in the Izera Mountains, an area historically heavily affected with the transboundary long-range transmission of pollutants from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Balance of deposited Cd and Pb loads in soil in relation to the total cumulative deposition determined from peat records showed 30% depletion of Cd load in the soil profile due to washout of mobile phases, while that of Pb practically did not decline. The deposited element accumulation and release/depletion in undisturbed soil profiles can thus be quantified in relation to the total cumulative load of atmospheric deposition. This shows a new prospective application of peat bog records as monitors of total cumulative loads of trace elements supplied to soils from atmospheric deposition.

A Comprehensive Evaluation of Water-Saving Society Construction in Xinxiang, Henan Province, China

Water is a crucial and fundamental resource. It is well known that agricultural cultivation, industrial production, and human daily life are not possible without water. Efficiently utilizing water resources is of great significance for achieving global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to improve water use efficiency in various industries and promote water-saving development, China has been implementing water-saving society construction since 2002. Henan Province is the main grain-producing area in China, with wheat production accounting for a quarter of the country’s total. As the core area of “Central Plains Agricultural Valley” in Henan Province, Xinxiang City plays an important role in agricultural technology innovation and agricultural production. However, Xinxiang City is facing problems of water scarcity and pollution, which constrain the sustainability of agricultural production. Therefore, building a water-saving society can solve the current water problems faced by Xinxiang City and ensure the sustainable development of the economy and society. This study built an evaluation index system for water-saving society construction in Xinxiang, Henan Province, China. The proposed evaluation index system includes 20 evaluation indices from six aspects—integrated, agricultural water, industrial water, domestic water, water ecology and environment, and water-saving management—and then divides its development level into several stages. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was adopted to calculate the index weight. Then, a comprehensive evaluation model for water-saving society construction in Xinxiang City was established by combining it with grey relative analysis (GRA). The results showed that the overall level of water-saving society construction in Xinxiang City is in the excellent stage, whereas water consumption per CNY 10,000 of GDP, the effective utilization coefficient of irrigation water, the reuse rate of industrial water, and the leakage rate of urban water supply network are all in the good stage. However, the urban recycled water utilization rate is still in the poor stage. These research results can effectively and reasonably reflect the development level of water-saving society construction in Xinxiang City and guide the continued implementation of water-saving society construction. At the same time, the comprehensive evaluation of water-saving society construction helps to formulate and adjust water resource management policies and measures; it also holds significant value for sustainable water management and combating water scarcity.

Unveiling heavy metal removal mechanisms in mulberry and rice husk biochars via sacrificial mineral descriptors.

Rice husk biochar (RBC) and mulberry biochar (MBC) have gained significant attention in the removal of heavy metals in aquatic environments. Their easy affordability and eco-friendly nature make these biochar's a powerful adsorbent for sustainable water remediation applications. Although their heavy metal adsorption characteristics of individual biochar's have been widely studied, a clear understanding of how the inherited mineral composition in RBC and MBC influences Pb2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ removal in both deionized water (DIW) and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) water is currently lacking. In this study, heavy metal removal mechanisms of RBC and MBC in these water systems were investigated using various kinetic models and correlated them with their mineral composition. With the highest correlation coefficient of modified two-compartment first-order kinetic model (MTCFOKM), the measured qe values highlight MBC as a promising candidate for heavy metal removal in both acidic and alkaline conditions. pH edge experiments revealed significant differences in metal removal efficiency between these biochars, despite their similar specific surface areas and surface charges (pHpzc). XRD and FTIR characterization provided a strong support in explaining the high heavy metal removal ability of MBC stem from calcite mineral that inherited from biomass. Furthermore, the pH edge experiment combined with MINEQL+ speciation profiles revealed that heavy metal removal by MBC at low pH is linked to calcite leaching, shift in system pH, and heavy metal precipitation.

Challenges in Wastewater Treatment Plant

Effective wastewater operation and maintenance are critical for ensuring sustainable water management and protecting public health and the environment. However, these systems face numerous challenges, including equipment durability issues, frequent breakdowns in treatment systems, regulatory compliance pressures, and the impacts of climate change. Financial constraints, such as limited budgets and the high costs of advanced technologies, further exacerbate these issues, while human resource challenges, such as skill gaps and inadequate training, hinder operational efficiency. This research paper explores these challenges in detail, drawing on real-world case studies from leading wastewater treatment companies and municipalities worldwide. Innovative solutions, including the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and decentralized wastewater treatment systems, are analyzed as potential pathways to address these hurdles. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive strategies that integrate technology, skilled workforce development, and adaptive policy frameworks to improve wastewater management. This paper also highlights the disparities between developed and developing nations in addressing these challenges and provides actionable insights for future improvements.