The presence of potentially toxic metals in aquatic environments is a growing concern, particularly in urban and industrialized regions where anthropogenic activities intensify contamination. Metals such as Pb, Cd, and Hg are especially relevant due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. This study quantified Pb, Cd, and Hg concentrations in water, sediments, and fish from an urban river segment in Santo André, São Paulo State, Brazil. To date, no systematic monitoring of metal contamination has been reported for this river, highlighting the novelty of this biomonitoring assessment. Surface water samples were collected at three sites spaced approximately 200m apart, and sediment samples were obtained at two intermediate locations. Sampling was conducted during the rainy (February) and dry (August) seasons to evaluate seasonal variability. Fish were collected during the rainy period; no specimens were found during the dry season due to a previously reported mass mortality event. Metal accumulation in fish was assessed separately in muscle and skin tissues. Metal concentrations were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In surface water, metal concentrations reached up to 7 ppb, whereas sediment concentrations reached values as high as 10,000 ppb. Pb and Cd were detected in all matrices, while Hg was detected only in sediments and fish tissues. Higher concentrations were observed in sediments and biota compared to the water column, indicating accumulation processes and potential trophic transfer. Metal concentrations increased by at least 20% during the dry period, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed significant seasonal differences. These results indicate concerning levels of metal contamination in this metropolitan river system, highlighting potential ecological risks and human health implications related to water use and fish consumption. This study provides essential baseline data for future environmental monitoring in urban tropical rivers.

Water pollution from pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs has long been a critical environmental issue, and the recent pandemic has intensified this problem due to significant lifestyle changes. While several studies have explored the effects of individual drugs on surface and groundwater, there remains a gap in understanding their broader impacts on planetary boundaries and sustainability assessments. This study aims to systematically review the literature on how the pandemic has influenced pharmaceutical and illicit drug contamination in surface waters, with a particular focus on its connections to planetary boundaries and sustainability. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method, 19 relevant studies were selected from an initial pool of 556 articles for detailed analysis. The review identifies key interconnections between pharmaceutical and illicit drug pollution, human health risks, and planetary boundaries, with a particular focus on the implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Results reveal that human health faces significant risks from this contamination threat, underscoring the need for integrated monitoring, policy intervention, and sustainable management strategies. This study provides valuable insights into the impact of pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs on water resources and highlights the importance of bridging scientific research with policy to mitigate long-term environmental and health risks.

The MEDIBEES project focuses on the preservation of bees and the protection of biodiversity in Mediterranean terrestrial ecosystems. Bees play a crucial role in pollination, maintaining plant diversity, and ensuring food security. However, they face multiple threats, including habitat loss, intensive pesticide use, climate change, and diseases. In this context, Medibees aims to develop integrated conservation strategies to protect these pollinators and prevent the degradation of their natural habitats.

Methods:
The project adopts a multidisciplinary approach that integrates ecology, environmental science, and community engagement. Monitoring programs were implemented to track bee and pollinator populations through regular surveys and innovative tracking technologies. Ecological restoration actions included planting nectar-rich flowers, creating ecological corridors, and improving nesting habitats. Simultaneously, awareness and training workshops were organized for farmers and local communities to promote sustainable agricultural practices that support biodiversity.

Results:
Preliminary results show a significant increase in pollinator diversity and abundance within restored areas. The establishment of ecological corridors improved connectivity between fragmented habitats, facilitating species dispersal. Community engagement activities strengthened local commitment, leading to the gradual adoption of environmentally friendly agricultural practices and a better understanding of pollinators’ ecological and agricultural importance.

Conclusion:
The Medibees project demonstrates how integrated conservation and ecological restoration strategies can help prevent habitat loss and support the resilience of terrestrial ecosystems. By combining scientific research with community participation, Medibees provides a replicable model for bee protection and biodiversity preservation, addressing critical sustainability and ecosystem conservation challenges in the Mediterranean region

^{The geographic and economic contexts play a major role in the decision making when it comes to municipal solid waste management. In the present study, simulations are carried out using Waste and Resource Assessment Tool for Environment (WRATE) software academic version 3.0.1, based on the Ecoinvent database (version 2), to assess the greenhouse gas emissions released by 1 M tonnes of municipal solid waste with typical compositions characterizing upper middle-income countires, with an organic fraction around 50% in weight. The variation over time (2000 to 2022) with no intended transformation in the management strategy is first analysed, and then several transformations are applied by varying the waste management routes (open dumping, landfilling, recycling and comosting) as well as the energy recovery integration. The results are then discussed based on the waste categories and the performed operations (landfilling, recycling, transportation, treatment and recovery). The results revealed that the most promising scenario involves limited open dumping that does not exceed 10%, landfilling with at least 20% energy recovery, and major fractions that address composting and recycling. Overall, this scenario returns a negative carbon footprint with a value surrounding -0.35 tons of CO}₂^{-Eq/ton of MSW. The results serve as a decision tool in similar contexts to plan for the most affordable transformations according to the parameters covered by the study.}

Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary field that has gained increasing attention. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) stand out due to their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and widespread use in medical, food, cosmetic, and textile applications. However, the lack of data on the release of AgNPs into water and soil, along with the absence of standardized protocols for analyzing them in environmentally relevant samples and concentrations, raises concerns regarding their environmental impact and potential human exposure. In this context, analytical techniques for NP characterization are essential. Single particle ICP-MS (SP-ICP-MS) has emerged as a powerful tool for the detection of nanoparticles in aqueous solutions. Nevertheless, further studies are required to optimize and expand the application of this technique. This study aims to optimize a SP-ICP-MS method for the detection of AgNPs in water samples. The following aspects were evaluated: detection of AgNPs through adequate signal-to-noise separation; transport efficiency, size limit of detection (LOD_size); and the ability to distinguish nanoparticles of different sizes within the same suspension. The optimized method enabled the detection of AgNPs as small as 12 nm at environmentally relevant concentrations (in the ppt range). It was also possible to distinguish between AgNPs of 50 and 80 nm within the same sample. The optimized methodology was then applied to water samples collected from the ABC Paulista region (Brazil), along downstream sections of the Tamanduateí River and nearby residential, industrial, and tourist zones as a proof of concept. The addition and recovery study with commercial AgNPs confirmed the applicability of the method for environmental samples. No AgNPs were detected in the collected water samples of the ABC Paulista region, indicating no health risk regarding AgNPs exposure. These findings help address existing gaps in analytical methods for detecting metallic nanoparticles and may contribute to the monitoring of AgNPs and other NPs in environmental samples.

Introduction
This paper analyzes the process of a municipal public policy for the peri-urban area (Order No. 5843/93), aimed at the comprehensive approach to social vulnerability and the final disposal and management of urban solid waste (USW). The significance of this case lies in the collective construction of transition objectives from an informal "scavenging" economy to a community-based organization on farms for food production: "Colonia Rural Nueva Esperanza", located on the arid plain north of Neuquén city.

Methods
A historical periodization of the institutional management process and the formation of a new territoriality is developed using normative and documentary analysis (files, press personal archives). Applied methods include stakeholder analysis, key informant interviews, testimonial analysis, life histories, and fieldwork.

Results
Four stages are identified: 1974-1992, 1993-2000, 2001-2006, and 2007-2018.
In the first two stages, the local government stands out for its role in the design and operational implementation; the new community organization emerges as a key actor; and there is a synergistic convergence of multiple institutions and actors in the fragmented peri-urban area of the city.
The third stage corresponds to the outcome of the following:
• Strategic actions;
• Institutional consolidation;
• Management of productive infrastructure.
In the fourth stage, the project faces its greatest challenges due to the discontinuity of political intentions and pressures stemming from the transformation of the area into one of the most complex zones in Patagonia: accelerated urban expansion, development of local infrastructure, and regional coordination with the hydrocarbon activity in “Vaca Muerta”.
Conclusions
The case demonstrates the importance of the State as a key actor in the practice of territorially and environmentally sustainable development. It reveals a process of territorialization and comprehensive refunctionalization of the peri-urban area, along with identity construction and a social conception of environmental problems. Current difficulties highlight the need for long-term governance instruments.

Heavy metal contamination has become one of the most critical environmental challenges affecting ecological integrity, soil functionality, and human health. Identifying native plant species capable of accumulating and tolerating toxic metals is, therefore, essential for improving environmental monitoring and supporting sustainable remediation strategies. In this study, we assess the bioaccumulation potential of Marrubium vulgare L., a widely distributed medicinal species, for lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) across ten industrial and urban stations in Sétif (Algeria). Aerial plant tissues were collected and analyzed using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS). Pb concentrations ranged from 138.82 to 582.54 mg/kg, while Mn levels varied from 3402.94 to 4402.55 mg/kg, both largely exceeding internationally certified limits for plant tissues. Statistical and multivariate analyses revealed pronounced spatial variability for Pb and a more uniform accumulation pattern for Mn, suggesting a combined influence of industrial emissions, vehicular traffic, and the natural geochemical background of the region. UPGMA clustering distinguished two major groups of stations corresponding to differing contamination intensities. Overall, the results confirm the strong capacity of M. vulgare to accumulate high metal loads, highlighting its reliability as a bioindicator of heavy-metal pollution and its promising potential in phytoremediation applications within semi-arid, anthropogenically impacted environments. This work provides relevant insights for environmental monitoring programs and supports the development of future ecological restoration and pollution-mitigation strategies.

Introduction: Inselbergs, also known as rocky outcrops, represent unique ecological formations within the Brazilian semiarid region, characterized by intense solar radiation, limited water availability, and shallow, nutrient-poor soils. These environments often contain natural rock pools that accumulate rainwater and serve as temporary microhabitats for aquatic communities. This study aimed to characterize the limnological conditions and phytoplankton structure of a rock pool located on Pedra do Touro, in the municipality of Queimadas, Paraíba, Brazil. Methods: Physicochemical parameters of the water (pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen) were measured using a multiparameter probe, while water transparency was determined with a Secchi disk. Phytoplankton and zooplankton samples were collected using 20 µm and 50 µm plankton nets, respectively, and preserved with Lugol’s solution and formaldehyde. Results: A total of 16 phytoplankton species were identified, distributed across five classes, with a marked dominance of Euglenophyceae (48.6%), followed by Chlorophyceae (27.4%) and Zygnematophyceae (16.4%). The most abundant species, Trachelomonas ovata (212.10 cells/mL), commonly associated with environments enriched in organic matter, suggests initial stages of organic accumulation within the reservoir. Conclusions: Overall, the findings indicate that rock pools function as ecologically relevant freshwater microecosystems that support diverse phytoplankton communities. These systems warrant greater attention regarding biodiversity conservation, ecological monitoring, and the management of water resources in semiarid landscapes.

Microplastic (MP) pollution is now one of the main threats to marine ecosystems, due to MP's ubiquity, persistence, and ability to interact with aquatic organisms at different biological levels. Microplastic beads and/or fibers, resulting from the fragmentation of larger plastics or released as primary particles, can be easily ingested, or accumulated by numerous marine species, with potential toxic effects including oxidative stress, inflammation, and histopathological alterations. In this context, filter feeders such as Mytilus galloprovincialis mussels are ideal experimental models and sensitive bioindicators for monitoring the impact of marine pollutants, thanks to their ability to rapidly accumulate substances present in the water column.
The research presented in this paper is part of a project aimed at characterising the damage caused by marine contaminants on adult individuals of M. galloprovincialis. Specifically, the objective of this study was to evaluate the toxic effects of polystyrene MPs, administered at different concentrations, on the respiratory system of the chosen model. Through qualitative histological analyses including Mallory's trichrome, PAS, and Picrosirius Red staining, it has been possible to highlight significant morphological and structural alterations in the gills by comparing control and MP-exposed animals. Subsequently, the investigation was extended to the study of the cellular response to stress, using immunocytochemistry aimed at the tissue localisation of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA), a known marker of proliferation and cellular damage. Preliminary validation of the antibody by Western blot confirmed the results obtained, allowing us to accurately describe the changes in PCNA distribution following MP exposure.
The results show a more accurate picture of how microplastics compromise gill integrity, providing useful information for assessing the ecotoxicological impact of these contaminants.

Soil invertebrates like earthworms and soil microarthropods are key players in the soil ecosystem by maintaining soil structure, nutrient cycling, and biological fertility in home‑garden agroecosystems. Even though short-term studies exist on these individual groups and their role in soil ecosystem functioning, long-term data from non-polluted reference sites are very scarce. This study was carried out in twenty-five home garden agroecosystems (two seasonal samplings per year for five years) from a non‑polluted area (home gardens with no soil pollution and no input of chemical pesticides/insecticides or chemical manures) to evaluate temporal patterns of soil fauna and their relationships with soil physicochemical properties. Soil cores (10 x 10 x 10 cm) were collected from the home gardens in triplicate for microarthropod estimation, and earthworms were collected from the home gardens using the mustard water extraction method. Earthworm abundance, total microarthropod abundance, and QBS‑ar scores were assessed along with soil temperature, pH, moisture, organic carbon, and electrical conductivity in each home garden. The total earthworm abundance showed clear seasonal dynamics and inter‑annual variability, with higher densities generally associated with cooler, moister seasons and soils richer in organic carbon. Microarthropod abundance and QBS‑ar scores also varied significantly among seasons and gardens and were moderately correlated with soil organic carbon and moisture, indicating a consistent link between soil biological and physicochemical soil quality. Mixed‑effects modelling and multivariate ordination revealed that home garden age, season, and soil moisture were the main drivers of faunal abundance, while pH and EC exerted secondary but detectable effects. Together, these findings show that combined monitoring of earthworm abundance, microarthropod abundance, QBS‑ar scores, and soil properties provides a robust, taxonomically simple framework for assessing soil quality and temporal stability in non‑polluted tropical home gardens and offers a valuable reference for comparison with contaminated urban and industrial soils.