Aluminum (Al) stress is known as a serious threat to the growth and production of crops in acidic soils. Here, the effects of different concentrations of methyl jasmonate (MJ, 0.5 and 1 µM) on rice plants were investigated hydroponically under different concentrations of Al (0.5 and 1 mM). Aluminum treatments injured membrane lipids and photosynthetic apparatus by reducing the leaf contents of mineral nutrients and increasing the accumulation of free radicals (hydrogen peroxide, methylglyoxal, and superoxide anion), resulting in reduced growth and biomass of rice. In comparison to control plants, 0.5 and 1 μM Al treatments lowered height by 21 and 37% and total dry weight by 24 and 41%, respectively. Exogenously added methyl diminished the inhibitory effects of Al stress on growth and photosynthetic apparatus by restoring ion homeostasis and improving chlorophyll metabolism. The application of MJ, by inducing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the glyoxalase cycle, lessened the levels of the toxic compounds hydrogen peroxide, methylglyoxal, and superoxide anion and, as a result, dwindled the toxic Al-induced oxidative stress. Methyl jasmonate enhanced the leaf accumulation of nonprotein thiol compounds and improved plant tolerance under Al stress by increasing the activity of enzymes involved in the synthesis of thiol compounds. Methyl jasmonate increased the leaf accumulation of glutathione and phytochelatins in Al-stressed plants by increasing the expression of GSH1, PCS, and ABCC1, which reduced the toxicity of toxic Al accumulated in leaves by sequestering toxic Al in vacuoles. Together, the results revealed that MJ increased the tolerance of rice under Al toxicity by maintaining ion homeostasis, improving the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the glyoxalase system, and increasing the level of non-protein thiol compounds. This research adds to our understanding of how MJ may be used in the future to improve Al stress tolerance in sustainable agriculture.

In order to reduce environmental degradation, there has been an increased focus on identifying the main conftributors to environmental degradation and reducing carbon footprints to promote sustainable development. Although the recent focus on institutional and policy reforms has led to a higher focus on environmental discussion, little is known about the status of research on the Pollution Haven Hypothesis (PHH). Hence, the current study evaluates the research dynamics of this field by recognizing most central researchers and key publication outlets from the perspectives of most citations and productivity, research directions, common keywords, countries with the highest academic contribution, and changes in research matrices. Our selection of 494 journal articles from the WOS indicates that King Saud University and the University of Wah were the most productive research institutions, and China was the most productive geographical region. Environmental Science & Pollution Research was identified as the most common outlet for research publications. We also identified strong academic cooperation, notably between China and Pakistan. Moreover, the co-occurrence network identified the Pollution Haven Hypothesis and economic growth nexus, trade, pollution haven and developing economies and FDI, carbon emissions, and pollution haven nexus as the three main prevailing research themes. Lastly, we provide useful policy implications to maximize the impact of environmental reforms and avoid environmental degradation.

The long-term, high-yield production of coal has resulted in the large-scale accumulation of coal gangue on the ground surface, which causes serious environmental problems. Therefore, clean and environmental treatment of coal gangue is urgently needed. In this study, the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer and atomic fluorescence spectrometer were used to test the background values of ten heavy metals in coal gangue taken from 25 coal mines across China; the average content, distribution characteristics, and genesis of heavy metals in these coal gangue were investigated, and the ecological risk of heavy metals in coal gangue in different regions and different geological ages was analyzed and tested. The results show that the average contents of Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, As, Cu, Zn, Mn, Se, and Be in the coal gangue are 0.081, 17.444, 0.234, 63.329, 2.658, 43.697, 59.290, 427.460, 1.205, and 1.819 mg/kg, respectively; the enrichment sequence of heavy metal elements of coal gangue in geographical areas and geological ages are ordered as follows: South China region > North China region > Northeast China region > Northwest China region, P₂ > C₂–P₁ > K₁ > J₁–₂ > E–N. The results also show that Hg has a strong pollution risk, Cd has a moderate pollution risk, and the remaining eight heavy metals have minor pollution risks, and the overall ecological risk indices (RI) of heavy metals in different geographical areas are ordered as [Formula: see text] (South China) > [Formula: see text] (North China) > [Formula: see text] (Northeast China) > [Formula: see text] (Northwest China). Moreover, the hydrothermal process occurring in unique sedimentary environments during the formation period is a key factor for the regional heavy metal enrichment in coal gangue.

To address climate change, one of the toughest contemporary environmental issues, growing importance is attached to the role of the digital economy in combating environmental degradation. Using panel data from 237 Chinese cities during the period 2011–2018, this paper attempts to provide a more systematic view of the relationship between the digital economy and urban low-carbon sustainable development to make up for the existing empirical inconclusiveness. Based on the fixed-effect model, results show that boosting the digital economy can effectively promote urban low-carbon sustainable development, and the conclusion remains robust across a series of robustness checks. Furthermore, innovation factor mobility is the critical transmission channel through which the digital economy affects urban low-carbon sustainable development. Spatiotemporal heterogeneity analysis reveals that the promoting effect of the digital economy on urban low-carbon sustainable development decreases from the northeast to the southeast of China, whereas the impact of innovation factor mobility on urban low-carbon sustainable development decreases from the southeast to the northeast with the Pearl River Delta as the core. Panel threshold regression analysis shows that the impact of the digital economy on urban low-carbon sustainable development is getting stronger with the increase of economic development level charactered with nighttime lights.

This paper analyzes the effects of ethnic and religious diversity on air pollution for 187 countries around the world (categorized into high-income, middle-income and low-income countries) from 1990 to 2020. We determine the long-run relationship between the variables using panel-fixed effects and GMM models. Air pollution emission factors are spatially explicit into emissions of particulate matter (PM₂.₅) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and the Alesina’s fragmentation index has been used to calculate ethnic and religious diversity. The results show that ethnic and religious diversity both have significant negative impacts on air pollution (PM₂.₅ and NO₂). Furthermore, the results are more significant for high-income and middle-income countries and vice versa for low-income countries. This study suggests that diversity is a natural phenomenon; however, its disastrous effects may be curtailed by providing equal opportunities and promoting a peaceful society, as done in high-income countries, to ensure the well-being of the people through cohesiveness. Policymakers need to promote collective action and communication among different groups while acknowledging that investment for public benefits often requires broad social consensus and solidarity.

Previous studies have done more research on the relationship between carbon emission reduction, energy consumption, and economic growth in specific countries or regions, which rarely consider the issue of heterogeneity between countries or regions, and also lack the refinement of energy consumption categories. Using panel data from 2000 to 2017, this paper divided the top 28 global carbon emission countries into developed countries and developing countries, and explores co-integration and causality between renewable energy consumption, non-renewable energy consumption, economic growth, and carbon emission. Results suggested that there is a two-way causal relationship between carbon emissions and economic growth in all economies. There is a two-way causal relationship between economic growth in developed countries and consumption of renewable and non-renewable energy, while there is no significant relationship between economic growth and energy consumption in developing countries. There is a two-way causal relationship between carbon emissions and renewable energy in all economies, but there are significant differences; there is a two-way causal relationship between carbon emissions in developed countries and non-renewable energy, and only one-way causality exists in developing countries.

Chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology [CKDu] is a condition characterized by decline in kidney function and is not associated with diabetic nephropathy or hypertensive nephropathy. In this review, we have done a detailed literature analysis on CKDu in India, and then had a comparison with that of Mesoamerica and Sri Lanka. In India, CKDu became the second most common type of CKD after diabetic nephropathy. Silica was seen in the groundwater of both India and Sri Lanka, whereas in Mesoamerica silica exposure through particulate matter was seen among CKDu communities. DDE is a common agrochemical seen in both India and Sri Lanka. The risk factors vary from region to region and it is important to categorize CKDu population based on the risk factors to avoid misinterpretation of the condition as non-CKDu category and to evade further complications. More studies have to be conducted to reveal the detailed pathophysiological mechanisms and its relation with irrational exploitation of environmental resources.

Global warming is the buzzword these days, where researchers and policymakers are working hard to figure out its causes and how we can achieve sustainable development goals. Several research studies have been conducted to determine the key factors that influence environmental degradation. However, studies have ignored the role of financial institutions in achieving sustainable development goals. Therefore, the present study evaluates the influence of financial stability on consumption-based-carbon emission for BRICS countries in the presence of renewable energy, technological innovation, industry value-added, and international trade over the period of 1995 to 2018. This study has simulated its analyses by utilizing the spatial Durbin model through the spatial time-fixed effect technique due to the cross-border spillover effect. The results show that financial stability, technological innovation, economic growth, and imports contribute to consumption-based carbon emissions, whereas renewable energy and exports negatively influence consumption-based carbon emissions. In the case of cross-border spillover analysis, the study’s findings revealed that only renewable energy has a positive spillover effect among the variables with a significant effect, whereas economic growth and bilateral export have a negative effect on consumption-based carbon emission.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of using expanded vermiculite and its impact on the production of concrete roof tiles. The control treatment and replacement of 12.5, 25, 37.5, and 50% sand by vermiculite were evaluated. The concrete roof tiles were moulded by the simultaneous pressing and extrusion mechanical process. The control trace was comprised by 21.95% CPV-ARI cement, 65.85% sand, and 12.20% limestone. After production, the concrete roof tiles were cured for 28 days. The physical (roof tiles classification, samples dry weight, water absorption, and porosity), mechanical (splitting tensile strength), and microstructural properties were evaluated. All treatments were assessed before and after accelerated ageing. The thermal properties of the modification in the concrete roof tiles’ composition were also analysed. The evaluated amounts of vermiculite significantly affected the physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of concrete roof tiles. The use of vermiculite in concrete roof tiles reduced their dry weight and thermal conductivity, not impairing their durability. The use of 31.0% vermiculite in concrete roof tiles was suggested for better thermal insulation optimization (20.29% reduction) and weight reduction (7.92% and 7.94% at 28 days of curing and after accelerated ageing, respectively), along with adequate physical, mechanical, and durability properties.