The plastoquinone derivatives 10-(6’-plastoquinonyl) decyl triphenylphosphonium (SkQ1) and 10-(6’-methyl-plastoquinonyl) decyl triphenylphosphonium (SkQ3) are lipophilic cationic antioxidants which can effectively penetrate cell membranes, targeting mitochondria to provide antioxidant defense in cells. In this study, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown with zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticle (NPs) stress treated with SkQ1 and SkQ3 to observe the growth rate and level of expression of oxidative stress-related genes in barley seedlings. The study reported that a concentration of 300 mg.L-1 of ZnO NPs inhibits the growth and development of the root system, while the addition of larger ZnO NPs in a similar concentration did not affect the development of the root. With the addition of SkQ1 and SkQ3, the length and weight of roots of the plants grown treated with 300 mg.L-1 of ZnO NPs remain at the control level, while without the antioxidant, root length, and weight decrease by 14% and 12%, respectively, compared to the control indicating an increase in plant resistance under NPs induced stress conditions. In the case of 2000 mg.L-1 of ZnO concentration, size-dependent effects were observed on the length of the roots, which decreased by 41.5% and 53.8%, and the weight of the roots by 23.3% and 38.8%, respectively, compared to the control. When plants are grown with 2000 mg.L-1 of ZnO NPs along with SkQ1 and SkQ3 treatment, an increase in root length is observed by 14.6% and 17.4%, and dry weight increases by 12.2% and 13.2%, respectively, compared to the control. When a similar concentration of ZnO in the form of NPs is added, similar indicators increase by 15.5% and 14.3% in root length and 16.0% and 17.1% in root dry weight, respectively. The level of expression of antioxidant system genes in roots decreases by 10-18 times, and in leaves, it changes only slightly, which proves the effect of plastoquinone derivatives on mitochondria, which in the roots are the main suppliers of ROS.

The present study investigated the spatio-temporal analysis of chlorophyll concentration with the variation of environmental parameters such as Aerosol optical depth (AOD) and sea surface temperature (SST) over the Gulf of Mannar (GOM) located in the southeastern part of India. The data derived from several satellites already provide information about the aquatic environment throughout the global waters. This study utilized the standard algorithms for the retrieval of Chl-a from the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite sensor for a period of about 2002 to 2020. The monthly spatio-temporal variability of the Chl-a concentration with the changes in SST and AOD were analyzed over the Gulf of Mannar for the year 2011. This shows that many areas in the Gulf of Mannar have high chlorophyll concentrations of about 2 to 5 mg.m-3 in the single-day images for several months during 2011. Also, the variation in the SST is observed for several months during 2011, ranging from 28 to 31.5℃. The AOD values fall in the range of 0.09 to 0.12. In addition, the time series analysis of Chl-a, SST, and AOD were also studied for two different stations over the GOM. The result of the time series analysis explains that high chlorophyll concentration was observed during the colder months with low values in SST and AOD.

The Mahakam River is an essential raw water source for the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in the Regional Drinking Water Company of Samarinda City. This means its quality is crucial, specifically due to several activities usually conducted in the river and the density of the surrounding community. One of the most critical issues related to surface water quality is microplastics. This study aimed to assess the abundance, size, and types of microplastics present in the water column of rivers at various depth levels. Samples were collected from the intake using a composite sampling method. The samples were processed by first filtering with 180 µm nylon, removing organic substances with H2O2, separating by density, conducting a second filtration with different nylon sieves, and then performing microscopic observation. The identification of polymers was carried out using FTIR. The results indicated the presence of microplastics in all tested samples. The highest abundance of microplastics, 25.4 particles per liter, was in the size range of 180-250 µm at a depth of 0.5 meters. The abundance of microplastics decreased as the depth of the river increased. The most common types of microplastics detected were fibers, fragments, and films. It is crucial to map the distribution of microplastics, mitigate their occurrence, and reduce degradation and fragmentation to increase WTP performance.

This study presents a solar still integrated with a solar pond, employing a layered thermal management system to enhance water distillation efficiency. The design includes an Upper Converting Layer (UCL) for rapid heat absorption, a Middle Converting Layer (MCL) for consistent heat transfer, and a Lower Converting Layer (LCL) for sustained thermal retention, achieving respective thermal efficiencies of 50%, 71%, and 86%. The system improves distillate yield by 35% compared to conventional methods, ensuring continuous operation even at night. Cost-effectiveness is demonstrated through reduced energy input, and enhanced thermal design supports higher output in regions with intense solar radiation. Experimental results show significant improvements in evaporation rates, condensation cycles, and overall productivity. This layered approach effectively addresses water scarcity by providing a sustainable and scalable desalination solution for rural and industrial applications, ensuring environmental and economic viability in high-demand regions.

This research investigates the optimization of a dry-type alkaline HHO kit for efficient oxyhydrogen (HHO) gas production, targeting applications in small (two-wheel vehicle) internal combustion engines (ICE). Key experimental parameters were evaluated to enhance gas production and system efficiency, including voltage, electrode configuration, electrolyte type, and concentration. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was identified as a more effective electrolyte than potassium hydroxide (KOH) due to its lower electronegativity, which contributes to accelerating HHO gas production. The highest overall efficiency, 24.6%, was achieved with a 0.1M NaOH solution using stainless steel (SS) as the anode and Titanium (Ti) as the cathode, and SS paired with graphite scored 23.1%. Voltage levels positively influenced gas production, although higher potentials resulted in electrode surface oxidation and decreased efficiency. The optimum voltage range of 4.5V to 5.2V for SS with graphite and 4.2V to 5.2V for SS with Ti configurations was provided. The study concludes that the SS-Ti and SS-Graphite configurations are optimal options for HHO gas production, minimizing heat generation and energy consumption while enhancing gas output. These findings suggest significant potential for improving fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in two-wheel vehicle four-stroke gasoline engines (100cc to 150cc).

The rapid population and economic growth in India have led to a significant rise in energy demand. Meeting this demand through renewable energy is critical, as fossil fuel-based energy generation contributes heavily to greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable energy development offers a sustainable and comprehensive approach to addressing the dual challenges of climate change mitigation and energy security. This paper evaluates the current status of renewable energy development in India and its role in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change. A detailed analysis of trends in solar, wind, and hydropower development reveals that India’s installed solar capacity is 82 GW, with an additional 88 GW under development. Wind energy accounts for approximately 46 GW of installed capacity, with 32 GW under development. Hydropower contributes 47 GW of installed capacity, with 18 GW under development. Together, these sources amount to approximately 175 GW of renewable energy capacity. Despite significant progress, India faces substantial challenges in achieving its ambitious renewable energy target of 500 GW by 2030. This paper highlights various programs initiated by the Government of India to promote renewable energy and ensure sustainable development. Additionally, it identifies key challenges in meeting the targets and recommends innovative solutions to overcome these hurdles, paving the way for a sustainable energy future.

This study employed Forward Regression Analysis and Hierarchical Regression Analysis to explore the connection between ecological literacy, ecological regulations, ecological awareness, ecological education, and the Sustainability Mindset. The study participants were higher education students from Pune who had received environmental education and could provide information on their ecological education, literacy, awareness, regulation, and sustainability mindset. The results indicate that elements such as knowledge levels among individuals and communities, alongside policies implemented for environmental protection measures and public awareness campaigns, coupled with educational endeavours, collectively account for a significant portion of the variations observed in fostering sustainable attitudes and behaviours. Ecological knowledge has become increasingly crucial in promoting development beyond the environment. Experts have emphasized the importance of understanding how these factors are interconnected. This study’s findings have several implications. It could help shape tailored educational initiatives and policies that support sustainable growth. Moreover, the valuable insights from this research could greatly benefit decision makers and academics dedicated to enhancing sustainability. The results revealed that the strongest predictor of a Sustainability Mindset is Ecological literacy, followed by ecological regulations, ecological awareness, and ecological education. All four independent variables were significant predictors of Sustainability Mindset. This study remains a rich area for future exploration in education and sustainable development, with important implications for policymakers and sustainability professionals.

Significant changes in global temperature occurred when carbon dioxide gas produced increases from industrial combustion processes that still use fossil fuels. These fuels contribute to environmental damage that will result in greenhouse gas emissions. One form of effort made by using Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology is effectively able to reduce global warming. The reduction process is carried out using NaOH and KOH solutions by comparing the effectiveness of the captured gas. This study was conducted to determine the effect of solution and gas flow rates between NaOH and KOH absorbents on the removal of dissolved CO2 gas. The chosen methods were the sampling method and the alkalimetric method. The method was used to determine the variation of the absorbent flow rate of 2, 4, and 6 L.min-1. While the gas flow rate used is 10, 20, and 30 L.min-1. The results showed that the effective flow rate variation was obtained at a speed of 2 L.min-1 with a gas flow rate of 30 L.min-1. The concentration that is removed in the absorbent is 52% of CO2 gas absorbed in NaOH solution with an electric voltage of 0.817 Volt, while KOH is obtained by 48% with an electric voltage of 0.798 Volt. The analysis results will be used as electrochemical-based electrical energy. It can be concluded that the effective absorbent solution is NaOH which can reduce CO2 gas optimally, which has a correlation to the flow rate of the solution and gas and can produce electrochemical-based electrical energy

Forests are essential to the terrestrial ecosystem, which supports a sustainable way of life and economy for people. As a result of their ability to capture atmospheric carbon dioxide and mitigate its worldwide consequences, forests are crucial for halting climate change. In light of this context, the current study’s objective is to assess the changes in Land Use & Land Cover (LULC) and forest cover across the North Eastern Ghat Zone (NEGZ) of Odisha, India, from 1990 to 2020. Firstly, multi-year preprocessed Landsat data at ten-year intervals (1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020) were collected using cloud computing Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, and the entire region was divided into five separate classes based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) thresholds viz., Very Dense Forest (VDF), Moderately Dense Forest (MDF), Open Forest (OF), and Non- Forest Land (NFL). Through the use of Supervised & Unsupervised techniques of classification, five main LULC categories were also established, viz., Agriculture, Barren Lands, Forest, Settlements, and Water Bodies. The results infer that the forest cover was reduced by 20%, wherein a gradual decrease in the VDF area by 14.21% of the NEGZ was significant during the study period. Unlike the VDF dynamics, the OF coverage showed a slight increase of 4.56% of NEGZ. On the contrary, the settlement area increased by about 130%. However, this study could infer that the expansion of settlements due to population hike is the primary driver of deforestation and forest fragmentation (because the population growth and increased settlements accounted for 97% and 93% of the variability in forest cover). Additionally, it was found that the variation in the forest cover could explain 45% variability of the mean air temperature as indicated by the coefficient of determination. Therefore, by placing special focus on the aforementioned findings and conclusions, we may conclude that the current study may contribute to research on forest management, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development.

Rivers are highly dynamic systems. Rapid population growth and the development of industrial areas around rivers significantly influence water quality. This research aims to analyze the heavy metal content in both water and catfish in the lower reaches of the Citarum River. Five locations were purposively selected: Station 1 (26.87 m asl), Station 2 (18.35 m asl), Station 3 (22.5 m asl), Station 4 (22.5 m asl), and Station 5 (22.5 m asl). At each site, physical and chemical water parameters (temperature, pH, depth, brightness, current speed, and DO), as well as concentrations of heavy metals (Hg, Pb, and Cd), were measured. Catfish were collected using stocking nets and fishing rods from the five stations, with assistance from local fishermen. Sampling was conducted over 14 consecutive days, from June 20 to July 4, 2022. The bioaccumulation of metals in both water and catfish was analyzed and calculated using the bioaccumulation factor (BAF) formula. The results showed that the accumulation of Hg in catfish was higher than that of Pb and Cd. Spatially, Pb accumulation was highest at Station 5 (4 times that of the water concentration) and lowest at Station 2 (2 times that of the water). Cd accumulation was highest at Station 5 (5 times that of the water) and lowest at Station 2 (3 times that of the water). Hg accumulation was highest at Station 1 (6 times that of the water) and lowest at Station 4 (2 times that of the water).