Water, as an essential component of the ecosystem, is required in good condition for proper ecological and economic processes. Surface water samples were collected and analyzed in accordance with recommended standards. Metal concentrations were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The physicochemical parameters, temperature, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, salinity as Clˉ, total hardness, total alkalinity, and bicarbonate, were 29°C, 5.86, 4.06NTU, 41.1µS/cm, 3.65mg/L, 20.4mg/L, 0.064mg/L, 24.82mg/L, 90mg/L, 65mg/L, and 79.3mg/L accordingly. The water quality index (WQI) of 21.153, evaluated using physicochemical parameters, indicates excellent water quality. Values for heavy metals obtained in surface water were in the order Hg<Co<As<Mn<Ni<Cr<Pb<Cd<Cu<Zn<Fe. The results indicate that the concentrations of metals exceeded the recommended limits set by WHO and NSDWQ, except for Hg, Co, As, and Mn. Contamination index ranged from 0.167 to 701.66. The Nemerow integrated pollution index was 499.049. Pollution load index was 3.895, and the geoaccumulation index ranged from -3.170 to 8.870. The indices indicate that the metals had a moderate to very high degree of contamination, except for Mn, As, Co, and Hg. The average daily intake of the metals via ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation ranged between 4.92E-13 to 6.56E-05 and 2.11E-13 to 7.02E-06 for children and adults, respectively. These values were lower than their corresponding estimated daily intake rates from the USEPA. Target hazard quotient for children (3.94E-06 to 2.69E-02) and adults (4.22E-07 to 2.88E-03), and the hazard index for children (3.14E-02) and adults (3.37E-03) were <1, depicting no health risk. Incremental lifetime cancer risk for children (2.89E-08 to 3.45E-05) and adults (3.42E-09 to 5.80E-06), and the total cancer risk for children (6.35E-05) and adults (1.06E-05) were within the probable negligible risk of 10⁻⁶ - 10⁻⁴. By implication, surface water poses no cancer risk to potential consumers.

Abiotic stressors, such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and nutrient imbalances, negatively impact crop development and productivity, posing serious risks to global food security. Climate change exacerbates these stressors, leading to soil degradation, water scarcity, and the loss of agricultural land. Although transgenic and conventional breeding systems have improved stress tolerance, their effectiveness is constrained by extended developmental stages and poor precision. CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing technology provides a unique and efficient platform for the accurate modification of stress-responsive genes, enabling rapid growth of resilient crop variants. This study examines advances in CRISPR/Cas9 applications to improve abiotic stress tolerance in crops such as rice, maize, wheat, and soybean. Key genes associated with osmotic regulation, ion transport, antioxidant defense, and stress-related signaling are addressed together with multiplex editing and promoter engineering techniques.

In the context of environmental science, CRISPR/Cas9-driven crop enhancement facilitates sustainable ecosystems by reducing dependency on chemical fertilizers, over-irrigation, and soil additives, thereby lowering greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating ecological consequences. The development of stress-tolerant cultivars also promotes sustainable land management and climate-smart agricultural technologies. Nevertheless, biosafety concerns, adverse consequences, and regulatory challenges necessitate a thorough environmental risk assessment before large-scale implementation. In conclusion, CRISPR/Cas9 is a breakthrough biotechnological innovation that integrates molecular genetics and ecological sustainability, paving the way for more resilient agricultural systems in an evolving climate.

In Mexico, ecological restoration faces major challenges arising from the expansion of exotic species, land-use change, and the impacts of climate change. Buddleja cordata Kunth (tepozán) is a native species with functional traits that enable it to tolerate disturbed environments and colonize areas less accessible to other native species. However, its potential future distribution may be significantly altered under different climate change scenarios. This study evaluated the current and future distribution of B. cordata in Mexico under four global climate models—BCC-CSM2-MR, CMCC-ESM2, HadGEM3-GC31-LL, and MPI-ESM1-2-HR—projected for the SSP5-8.5 scenario, using Ecological Niche Modeling (ENM) in Maxent. Areas of persistence, expansion, contraction, and risk of invasion by exotic species were identified. Occurrence records and bioclimatic variables were integrated with vegetation, land-use layers, and Priority Sites for Restoration (PSRs). Results show that the distribution of B. cordata will be reshaped by changing climatic conditions, with a general trend of persistence in higher-altitude areas. Overlap with exotic species such as Casuarina equisetifolia L., Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh., Ligustrum lucidum W.T. Aiton, and Populus alba L. indicates that some regions may be increasingly susceptible to invasion, potentially undermining restoration efforts. Our findings suggest that adaptive restoration strategies should prioritize persistence areas and PSRs less vulnerable to extreme climatic conditions, thereby enhancing restoration success. The ecological implications underscore the importance of incorporating the regeneration capacity and environmental tolerance of B. cordata into the design of effective management and restoration strategies under climate change scenarios.

The increasing awareness of sustainability and the use of sustainable materials is driving a shift toward natural particle- or fibre-reinforced bio-based polymer composites. Agricultural waste-based materials mostly end up in landfills, and their use for value-added applications will help minimise environmental pollution due to poor disposal. The personalised manufacturing using 3D printing leverages the desired orientation and selective distribution of materials to achieve the preferred design and ergonomics. Additionally, the use of customised interiors in automobiles is growing to satisfy customer needs, and 3D printing will help to achieve this economically. This study aims to evaluate the life cycle aspects of producing a coir-pith/PLA (polylactic acid) green composite using a personalised additive manufacturing technique. The background data needed are sourced from the Ecoinvent 3.11 database. The energy and resources used for material processing and manufacturing are estimated from industrial and laboratory-scale manufacturing machines. Cradle-to-gate analysis is carried out in these preliminary investigations. The single automotive interior part is considered the functional unit for this study. The unit processes for coir-pith/PLA composite include coir-pith extraction from coconut husks, composite filament extrusion using a filament extruder, and additive manufacturing using an FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication) printer. The different environmental impacts are compared and discussed.

In its middle course, the Shkumbin River flows across Central Albania, traversing the urban centers of Librazhd, Elbasan, and Peqin, forming characteristic riparian habitats along its banks. The climate in these areas is Mediterranean, with irregular distribution of precipitation, alluvial soils, and fertile fields. These riparian areas are characterized by high floristic diversity and significant ecological value. The study was conducted along the middle course of the Shkumbin River, in riparian habitats mainly located near the Miraka area. To evaluate the floristic diversity of these riparian areas, we conducted fieldwork in spring and summer 2025. Overall, we collected 310 plant materials. For data evaluation and comparison, we highlight the plant taxa collected near the Miraka area to assess their biodiversity, current status, conservation priorities, and human impacts. The analysis of the floristic data showed that the most widespread families are Poaceae, Fabaceae, and Compositae, with the Plantaginaceae family exhibiting particularly high representation. The area's systematic composition highlights Mediterranean, Cosmopolitan, and Paleotemperate elements. The distribution of life forms indicates a Mediterranean influence, particularly evident in the dominance of hemicryptophytes, therophytes, and phanerophytes. The studied riparian areas exhibit significant anthropogenic influence, as reflected in their floristic composition compared to that of other sites along the river. Across the riparian environments, we found species such as Papaver dubium L., Veronica polita Fr., and Trifolium resupinatum L., which provide a different ecological perspective on the impact of human activities, given their synanthropic occurrence.

The European Union (EU) Urban Water Reuse Legislation outlines the important challenges to obtaining a green environment. Biochar-assisted treatment processes combined with green substances could be a beneficial option in order to deal with the challenges in EU water reuse legislation. Biochar alone might not be sufficient for achieving higher quality reclaimed water. Even so, a modification of biochar should be carried out by adding an efficient green material such as nanoclay to ensure quaternary treatment is achieved. Nanoclay substances have attracted attention recently owing to their many environmentally friendly advantages for wastewater treatment. The combination of biochar and nanoclay could be an efficient adsorber by the intercalation of the properties of both biochar and nanoclay. From this point of view, this study mainly aimed to investigate the effects of nanoclay addition on malt-dust-derived biochar for wastewater reclamation. Then, a new green improvement index (GII) was developed to determine the effect of nanoclay addition on the biochar adsorption process for wastewater reclamation. This study presented two new biochar-based mechanistic models: a data-driven sensitivity analysis and an uncertainty analysis by Monte Carlo simulation. According to the multivariate statistical analysis, the mixing ratio of malt-dust-derived biochar and nanoclay (bentonite) was 1:2 for the maximum pollutant removal efficiency from brewery industry wastewater. The green improvement index (GII) was in the range of 0.255-0.317, so the nanoclay addition improved the overall wastewater quality by 25.5-31.7%. At the end of the biochar-assisted nanoclay adsorption, Class-A-quality reclaimed water from brewery wastewater was achieved. Also, a virtual benefit–cost analysis was performed, where the economic amendment was ensured by reclaimed water use achieved by the biochar-assisted nanoclay process instead of freshwater reuse.

Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals (EDCs) are emerging environmental contaminants widely used in domestic, agricultural, and personal-care products to enhance their performance. Their persistence in different environmental matrices and their ability to bioaccumulate have raised major concerns about continuous human exposure, even at low doses, through ingestion or skin contact. Among these compounds, Bisphenol A (BPA) has gained particular attention due to its structural similarity to steroid hormones and its ability to interfere with the endocrine system. Increasing evidence suggests that BPA adversely affects the male reproductive system, especially the prostate gland that appears sensitive to its activity. In this study, we showed preliminary data comparing the actions of BPA and the endogenous hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on 2D and 3D human prostate cell cultures. MTT and cell proliferation assays were performed to identify the concentration ranges of BPA and DHT that significantly influenced cell physiology. Protein expression of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) was analyzed by Western blot, while Androgen Receptor (AR) localization after BPA exposure was examined by immunofluorescence. Our results showed that BPA exerted an inhibitory effect on both culture models. In 2D cultures, BPA caused AR retention in the cytoplasm, leading to a reduction in cellular proliferation. Moreover, the proliferative effect of DHT decreased when cells were co-treated with DHT and BPA, suggesting that BPA interferes with AR nuclear translocation and hormone responsiveness. In 3D prostate organoid (PO) cultures, DHT played a crucial role in PO maturation. Conversely, BPA did not replace DHT activity, but it showed its antiandrogenic activity when the PO was treated by BPA+DHT that resulted in smaller, less developed organoids, confirming BPA’s interference with DHT-driven morphogenesis. Overall, our findings indicated that BPA interfered with androgenic pathways acting as an antiandrogenic compound, ultimately impairing normal prostate development.

Floods are among the most devastating natural disasters, causing widespread damage to life, property, and infrastructure. Rapid and accurate flood detection and mapping are essential for effective emergency response and mitigation. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data, with its ability to penetrate cloud cover and operate in all weather conditions, plays a crucial role in real-time flood assessment and management. The present study uses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-1C (10 M resolution) datasets provided by the European Space Agency (ESA) to assess the extent of flooding in the Dharali Region of Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India. During the flood event, extensive cloud cover limits the applicability of optical imagery; therefore, microwave SAR data are used in the present investigation. The flood-affected zone in the Dharali region is relatively small, making change detection using 10-meter-resolution SAR data challenging. The challenges posed by comparatively low-resolution data can be addressed using threshold-based band-filtering techniques and RGB composites. The present study uses Sentinel-1A and Sentinel-1C data to detect changes in the flooded area before and after the event. The data are preprocessed using an orbit file application, geometric correction, radiometric calibration, speckle noise reduction, and terrain correction, all of which are essential for accurate geospatial analysis. A threshold-based band-filtering technique and RGB composite images are employed to detect change. This study provides useful data for rapid response in disaster management and flood mapping in the Dharali region of Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India, during the flash floods that occurred on 5th August 2025.

Within the Mexico Megalopolis, there are wetlands of high hydrological, historical, cultural, and ecological value, yet their role has often been relegated in the face of urban and human demands. Knowledge of their aquatic flora is limited and even scarcer regarding the species that once inhabited the great lakes now covered by cities. The aim of this contribution is to provide a synthesis that broadens the perspective of the wetlands of the Megalopolis, considering them not only as water reserves, but also as functional and dynamic ecosystems that sustain a diversity of hydrophytes currently threatened by climate, water, and urban crises. In the region, 537 wetlands have been recognized, although only 34 have reports on their aquatic flora, equivalent to less than 7%. These environments, often small or seasonal, constitute biodiversity oases and are essential for numerous species. However, of the 23 Protected Natural Areas located within the Megalopolis, only 13 include wetlands with documented floristic richness, among them the Ciénegas de Lerma, the Xochimilco Canals, and Lake Texcoco, some of which are designated Ramsar Sites. In total, 270 records of aquatic, subaquatic, and tolerant plants were compiled, including 206 native species (five endemic) and five listed as threatened, such as Gentiana spathacea and Sagittaria macrophylla. These results reflect both the richness and vulnerability of the Megalopolis wetlands and highlight the urgent need to strengthen their study and conservation as key biodiversity refuges in central Mexico.

Urbanization in Northern Nigeria has resulted in the proliferation of modern architectural typologies that often overlook the region's environmental conditions and cultural traditions. This study investigates the integration of vernacular architectural wisdom into climate-resilient urban development, focusing on Sokoto, Katsina, and Kano as case study cities. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, including field measurements, structured interviews, simulation analysis, and policy review, to assess the thermal performance, spatial configuration, and material sustainability of vernacular and modern buildings. The results show that traditional Hausa architecture achieves a mean indoor temperature drop of 4-6°C relative to outdoor ambient conditions, principally due to its courtyard orientation, thick earthen walls, and passive ventilation systems. Comparative life-cycle assessments reveal that vernacular materials possess 60-75% less embodied energy than modern counterparts. The findings further show that residents link vernacular dwellings with cultural identity, comfort, and ecological balance. However, current urban policies remain fragmented, and there are no frameworks that encourage passive design and indigenous material use. This paper proposes an integrative model combining passive-vernacular and modern technologies with educational and policy interventions. Finally, the study demonstrates that incorporating vernacular principles into Nigeria's urban design codes can improve environmental management, cultural continuity, and resistance to climate change, all of which are consistent with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 11 and 13).