Global warming is the most significant environmental issue that causes the utmost concern for researchers and scientists. Furthermore, impacts recorded include the potential for drought and the reduction of soil ability to support biomass production, subsequently posing a significant threat to agriculture. Moreover, vegetation density is known to support microorganism activities actively, and its analysis requires remote sensing techniques, involving normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) and soil adjustment vegetation index (SAVI), associated with microbial content in the soil. Besides, the level recorded is assumed to have a strong correlation with soil fertility, which is a prerequisite for the development of vegetation cover. Hence, most of the research was conducted in fertile lands situated in the Ungaran, Merbabu, and Telomoyo volcanic areas. The results show the absence of a positive correlation between soil fertility and the number of microorganism’s present, although the association with vegetation cover is relatively low.

Uranium (U) is a common radionuclide in soil and groundwater. Uranium contamination often results from uranium mining and processing, nuclear energy power plants, nuclear weapon tests and nuclear accidents. Due to its toxicity and bioaccumulation, it was necessary to treat it effectively. Biochar and FeS nanoparticles were prepared for the treatment of U(VI) in solution. The characteristics of biochar and FeS nanoparticles were determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive Spectrum and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and BET adsorption method. The results showed that a large number of functional groups were present on the surface of biochar and FeS nanoparticles. The influencing factors, such as contact time, pH of the solution, initial concentration U(VI) and solution temperature, had an important influence on the adsorption capacity of U(VI) by biochar and FeS nanoparticles.

The urban wetland is a precious wealth of the city, which has a very important role and value for the development of human and society. Zhuzhou is a traditional industrial city in China, which is located in the lower reaches of the Xiangjiang River and rich in urban wetland resources. In order to protect, utilize and manage urban wetland resources scientifically, based on LCM model platform, using Landsat series remote sensing images and other data, this paper systematically analyses the land use change process of Zhuzhou urban wetland from 2006 to 2016 and simulates and forecasts the urban wetland landscape pattern in 2021. The prediction results show that the urban wetland in Zhuzhou city will change continuously in 2021, but the overall change is relatively small, which is basically consistent with the change trend and regain of urban wetland in 2006~2016. Among them, the change of paddy fields area is the largest, with a total decrease of 1364.8ha; the increase of reservoirs area is 82.4ha; the decrease of pond area is 34.6ha, while riverine wetland is basically unchanged. In addition, Zhuzhou urban wetland landscape pattern change is affected by both natural and human factors, while human activities have a more significant impact on the wetland, with both positive and negative effects.

Tank systems are essential for the agricultural growth and the livelihood of rural populations in India. Comprehending the multiple benefits from these traditional systems, tank rehabilitation has been one of the policy significances at the state level. The study was undertaken with the objective of assessing the impact of tank rehabilitation on cropped area, cropping pattern change, cost returns and income of farmers in a selected study village of south Tamil Nadu. The study was conducted on the basis of primary data obtained from 102 sample farmers belonging to “Pelasur” village of Thiruvannamalai district in south Tamil Nadu using a stratified sampling method. There was a significant difference in the cropped area, cropping intensity and irrigation intensity among the farmers before and after tank rehabilitation. It is found that there is an increase of 41.02 ha cultivated area and an increase in the net amount of Rs. 7,99,945. Many farmers shifted from paddy to sugarcane (cash crops) cultivation due to the availability of excess surface water in the tank and improved water table in their wells. Cropping intensity has been increased to 26% in the post-rehabilitation period. Thus, investment in tank rehabilitation shows a positive implication on marginal farmers and landless labours. Using SPSS, a paired-sample t-test is applied for analysing data collected from respondents.

In line with the 2015 Paris Agreement, the present study examines the efficiency of Iran’s electricity industry compared to world standards. In 2018, Iran is ranked second in the world in terms of direct subsidies to the electricity industry, while subsidies for fossil fuels as the main feedstock for power plants are also higher. The results of the study indicate that despite the privatization of the electric industry since 2005, centralized economic management and the provision of extensive direct and indirect subsidies have led to the expansion of inefficiencies in the production and consumption of electricity. Lack of cost-based pricing is a major factor in the production of inefficient units and the determination of electricity prices at very low levels (as a result of subsidies) is the main reason for the inefficient use of electricity in Iran. The undeniable role of fossil fuels in energy production has stabilized Iran’s second-largest power plant sector in CO2 emissions in the Middle East, and as a consequence of no noticeable changes in the energy production process, the carbon intensity index and carbon intensity for electricity consumption, have fluctuated slightly. However, the energy intensity and energy intensity for electricity consumption, unlike the developed countries, have shown an upward trend, indicating a decline in energy and electrical energy efficiency in the Iranian economy. The index of fundamental reforms in electricity production, exactly the reverse of the successes in Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden and Luxembourg, is less than 8%, which is against sustainable development goals. It is crucial to take advantage of countries’ successful experiences in electricity price reform and to address the four key components proposed.

This study evaluates the performance of tropical subsurface vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCW) having indigenous plants as decentralized ecological treatment systems for municipal wastewater treatment combined with biomass production. The VFCW mesocosms were planted with lignocellulosic grass species suitable to climatic conditions of Kerala such as Cumbu Napier Hybrid grass (Pennisetum purpureum), Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus) and Palisade grass (Urochloa brizantha). The VFCWs were operated at a hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 0.1md-1 and hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 1 day. During the study period, the planted VFCWs attained significant pollutant removal efficiency than the control system with an unplanted filter bed. The VFCW planted with Cumbu Napier Hybrid grass obtained average removal efficiencies of TSS (89.80%), BOD (89.90%), COD (78.10%), Nitrates (69.07%), TN (44.33%), and Phosphates (51.20%). In the VFCW system planted with Palisade grass, the average removal efficiencies observed were Turbidity (98.70%), TSS (89.50%), BOD (87.90%), COD (72.70%), Nitrates (62.07%), TN (43%), and Phosphates (47%). The treated effluent concentration from both the units conformed to the USEPA guidelines for non-potable water reuse standards. The average biomass yield of Cumbu Napier Hybrid grass during the study period was found to be significantly higher when compared to Gamba grass and Palisade grass.

Antibiotic resistance is one of the major problems in the medical world, and the sewage waters are the primary habitats to harbour antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) especially multi-drug resistance (MDR) human enteric pathogens. The present study dealt with isolation, identification and characterization of human enteric pathogens showing resistance against ten different commonly prescribed antibiotics. These bacterial strains were isolated from different sewage treatment plants located in the suburb of Delhi. Initially, samples were analysed for the presence of pathogenic human enteric bacteria through morphological, biochemical and molecular analysis. Further susceptibility patterns of these isolates were studied towards clinically significant antibiotics. Doxycycline and Metronidazole were found to be most inert antibiotic as it was ineffective against all isolated enteric pathogens, whereas Meropenem was found to be most promising antibiotic. As the resistance of these microorganisms is evolving day by day, proper steps should be taken to prevent it.

Assessment of soil fertility is essential to help identify strategies for sustainable agricultural production systems that decrease the negative environmental impact. The objective of this research study is to carry out a preliminary assessment of soil fertility status to adopt climate-smart agriculture to address the climate change challenges that adversely affect crop productivity and livelihoods of the farming community. The research was carried out in Mambattu village, Maduranthakam block of Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu. A systematic set of twenty geo-referenced soil samples were collected from the study village using GPS (Global Positioning System) and analysed for pH, EC, available macro, secondary and micronutrients to develop a credible soil fertility index (SFI). The preliminary fertility data of Mambattu village revealed that the pH of soil samples varied from acidic to alkaline with about 40% as neutral while the electrical conductivity showed non-saline and medium status of Organic Carbon (OC). The soil samples were predominantly sufficient in N and some micro nutrients (Fe, Mn), while medium in S and B and deficient in P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn and Cu. Results from initial studies indicate that practices like site specific nutrient management, green manuring, use of organic inputs, use of integrated pest management, seed treatment etc., have a high potential for implementing climate-smart agricultural technologies. Soil fertility evaluation can be an efficient tool to improve soil health which can positively impact crop productivity and be one of the important climate-smart technologies practices adopted by the farmers.

The possibility of replacing the inorganic medium with tropical organic fruit waste medium as a nutrient supplement was evaluated for the cultivation of Chlorella vulgaris and Haematococcus pluvialis in this study. Various concentrations of tropical fruit waste medium such as papaya, pineapple and mango were prepared to cultivate microalgae of C. vulgaris and H. pluvialis. The biomass concentration, productivity and specific growth rate were determined and compared with those grown in a fully inorganic medium. For C. vulgaris, the use of a 20% tropical fruit waste medium was found to yield higher biomass concentration (4.133-4.533 g/L) compared with cultivation in a fully inorganic medium (3.400 g/L). For H. pluvialis, the use of a 10% mango waste medium was found to yield a similar biomass concentration compared with cultivation in a fully inorganic medium (3.400 g/L). These results unveiled the potential of utilizing with tropical organic fruit waste medium as an effective strategy to reduce the cultivation cost of microalgae and treat the tropical fruit waste prior to discharge to the environment.

One of the major challenging problems faced globally is energy security, and new generation researchers’ emphasis is on alternative fuels, which could switch the fossil fuels products entirely or moderately. The current study focuses on the use of ethanol as an alternative fuel for internal combustion engines. The speciality of this fuel is the oxygenated short-chain alcohols. These alcohols may be made through the fermentation of biomass, hence this fuel comes under a renewable source of energy. A four-stroke, single-cylinder, water-cooled and naturally aspirated compression ignition diesel engine was selected for this research. The above engine tested fuels like diesel, blends of diesel and ethanol. Diesel (D 100) (v/v), ethanol 5% with the addition of diesel 95% (E 5) (v/v), ethanol 10% with the addition of diesel 90% (E10) (v/v), ethanol 15% with the addition of diesel 85% (E 15) (v/v) and ethanol 20% with the addition of diesel 80% (E20) (v/v). The influence of the upturn of ethanol in the diesel delivered a decline of nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and unburnt hydrocarbons (UHC) matched to diesel fuel. It concluded that in these test fuels, E15 has higher brake thermal efficiency; E20 has higher brake specific fuel consumption. For emissions, E20 is the best blend compared to the remaining test fuels.