Noble metal decorated metal oxide composites have proved to have Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) as a notable approach for efficient light absorption. Herein present work, a new sonochemical method is proposed for in-situ synthesis of noble metal-based CeO2 composites for the sonophotocatalytic degradation of commercial Acephate solution. Pristine CeO2 and Ag@CeO2 with different Ag contents viz. 4, 6 and 8 wt. % were successfully synthesized by a facile in-situ sonochemical approach. The as-synthesized CeO2 and Ag@CeO2 nanocomposites were characterized by various physicochemical characterization techniques, including XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, BET, and FESEM-EDS. Further, these CeO2 and Ag@CeO2 nanocomposites were employed for photocatalytic, sonocatalytic, and sonophotocatalytic degradation of commercial Acephate solution. Experimental results revealed that the photocatalytic and sonocatalytic processes follow a pseudo-first-order model, whereas the sonophotocatalytic process had a more substantial rate constant compared to the photocatalytic and sonocatalytic one. Further, the kinetics of the study were examined by the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model. Overall, the sonophotocatalytic degradation involving as-synthesized Ag@CeO2 with 6 wt. % Ag content has shown to be the most effective method for the effective degradation of a commercial acephate solution.

The monsoon system in India plays a pivotal role in shaping the country’s climate. Recent studies have indicated that the increasing variability of monsoons is attributable to climate change, resulting in prolonged periods of drought and excessive rainfall. Understanding, analyzing, and forecasting monsoons is crucial for socioeconomic sustainability and communities’ overall well-being. Climate forecasts, which project future Earth climates typically up to 2100, rely on models such as the Couple Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP). However, confidence in these forecasts remains low due to the limitations of global climate models, particularly in terms of capturing the intricacies of monsoon dynamics, notably from June to September. To address this issue, researchers have examined precipitation simulations under various future scenarios using both CMIP5 and the latest CMIP6 models. Evaluating the performance of these models from 1979 to 2014, particularly in simulating mean precipitation and temperature, has revealed improvements in multi-model ensembles (MME), highlighting advancements in monsoon characteristics. By comparing the CMIP5 and CMIP6 models, researchers have identified the most reliable models for climate downscaling research, which can provide more accurate predictions of regional climate changes, thereby offering valuable insights for enhancing climate modeling in the Indian subcontinent.

The key observations on the study concerning the geostatistical appraisal, hydrogeochemical environment of major ions (cations and anions) as well as groundwater suitability from the part of Balaghat District (MP) latitude 21°31ʹ42ʺ: 21°43ʹ11ʺ N and longitude 79°50ʹ30ʺ:80°11ʹ30ʺ E., Central India are presented here. The pH (7.3 to 8.6) of the groundwater samples and range of EC values (50-5080 μS.cm-1) typically clarify the alkaline nature and the involvement of diverse processes (geogenic as well as anthropogenic) deciding the hydrogeochemical environment of groundwater. This prominent behavior is the result of the conductivity in groundwater, which is the consequence of ion exchange along with the solubilization processes during the rock-water interaction and also represents anthropogenic activity. The abundance succession of cations is Ca2+ > Na+ > Mg2+ > K+, while the profusion sequence of anions is HCO3- > Cl- > NO3- > SO42- > F-. The positive correlation among the pair of Ca2+ with Mg2+ (r = 0.657), Na+(r = 0.691), and HCO3- (r = 0.842) as well as the high positive association between K+ and SO42- (r = 0.856), plus K+ and NO3- (r = 0.779) unravels the derivation of ions from the geogenic origin and the agro-chemical derivation of ions respectively. The three factors (1:6.350, 2:2.732, and 3:2.697), having a total variance of 87.923%, correspond with the geogenic factor, anthropogenic factor, and alkalinity factor, respectively. The groundwater from the study area is suitable for drinking and irrigation purposes with a slight threat of exchangeable sodium.

The global construction industry faces significant challenges related to environmental sustainability and resource scarcity. Researchers are increasingly exploring innovative approaches to repurpose waste materials, aiming to mitigate environmental pollution while producing value-added construction materials. This paper reviews the sustainability of current methodologies for synthesizing construction materials from pollutants, considering industrial by-products, post-consumer waste, and pollutants as potential feedstocks. The evaluation focuses on various recycling, upcycling, and bioconversion techniques, assessing their environmental and technical feasibility. The paper also discusses case studies of successful implementations and emerging trends in the field to highlight practical applications and future research directions. Ultimately, the paper advocates for sustainable practices in the construction sector by promoting a circular economy model, where waste is transformed into valuable resources, fostering wealth development.

This study aims to explore the applications of graphene and chitosan in water splitting and catalysis, focusing on their unique properties and synergistic effects. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to examine their roles in photocatalytic activity and environmental remediation. Graphene, known for its high surface area and conductivity, was analyzed for its ability to enhance charge separation and light harvesting through doping and hybridization with metal nanoparticles. Similarly, chitosan’s biopolymeric nature and strong affinity for transition metals were evaluated for their utility in enzymatic and catalytic applications. Results indicate that graphene’s photocatalytic performance can be significantly improved through doping and functionalization, while chitosan proves effective in wastewater treatment and as a polymeric support for catalysts. The study concludes that the combined use of graphene and chitosan offers promising potential for advancing sustainable energy solutions and environmental technologies.

Variations in size and shape distinguish vegetation patches across different ecosystems. Nonetheless, recent research highlights notable parallels in the dynamics of these patches and the mechanisms governing their formation and persistence. Two primary types, banded and spotted vegetation, characterized by their patch shapes, stem from shared mechanisms, albeit each type is predominantly influenced by a distinct driver. Banded vegetation emerges when water primarily facilitates the redistribution of materials and propagules, whereas spotted vegetation arises when wind serves as the primary redistributing force. Overall, the analysis underscores how patchy vegetation structures bolster primary production. According to Patch Dynamics theory, vegetation can be categorized into homogeneous and heterogeneous patches, with seasonal conditions playing a pivotal role in the coexistence of various vegetation types. Understanding mechanisms of coexistence necessitates a thorough grasp of the ecophysiological responses of dominant species to different patch types. Consequently, this study aimed to discern the ecophysiological reactions of species to two distinct patch categories. Throughout the examination of Patch Dynamics, both patch species exhibited the highest photosynthetic capacity within their respective patches. Parameters such as Leaf Area Index (LAI), the number of individuals (N), biomass, height (h), weight, and others manifested changes across patch types. Notably, species within the banded patch exhibited heightened sensitivity and more substantial fluctuations in their values compared to those in the spotted patch. These differential responses to distinct patches offer insights into potential mechanisms facilitating species coexistence.

Geopolymers are an alternative and sustainable substitute for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) Geopolymers are being investigated as supplementary cementitious materials to lower carbon dioxide emissions in the building sector. To lower emissions, geopolymer concrete also improves the environment by substituting OPC with supplementary cementitious materials. In addition to keeping waste out of landfills, it produces lightweight, environmentally friendly building materials that fit the circular economy model. Geopolymer concrete reduces global warming as compared to traditional OPC concrete, offering sustainable solutions for construction applications and mitigating carbon dioxide emissions, thereby promoting sustainable development in the construction sector. In the building sector, geopolymer materials provide environmentally friendly substitutes for OPC materials by enhancing water absorption, lowering carbon dioxide emissions, and fostering environmental sustainability. In terms of mechanical qualities, robustness, and environmental sustainability, geopolymers have demonstrated encouraging outcomes.

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the reduction percentage in the yearly concentrations of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and CO before and after COVID-19 in Amman, the capital city of Jordan, which has the highest population and traffic densities, and Zarqa, an industrial area with 55% of different types of industries. Additionally, this study examines the effect of metrological parameters such as temperature, humidity, and wind speed on air pollutant dispersion, particularly particulate matter 10 (PM10), which is considered uncontrollable. Furthermore, this study highlights the critical environmental and health effects of air pollution. The Ministry of Environment measured the yearly concentration of air pollutants (SO2, NO2, CO, and PM10) in three areas (Amman, Zarqa, and Irbid) in 12 stations in nearby industrial, urban, and traffic areas using the nitric oxide (NO) NO2 chemiluminescence analyzer Model 42i, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and SO2 analyzer model 450iQ, and PM10 Peta Attenuation analyzer. The few air pollution studies in Jordan have primarily focused on average yearly concentrations of SO2, NO2, CO, and PM10 without considering the monthly or daily variations that greatly concern health and the environment. The results of the present study reveal that during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a significant decrease in the annual concentrations of H2S, SO2, and NO2 as the reduction percentage in Amman 70, 58, 87% respectively, and in Zarqa 36, 62, 72% respectively. However, there is a slight reduction in CO and PM10 with 39 and 18% at Amman and 19% and 40% at Zarqa. This decrease is attributed to the reduction of primary sources of air pollutants, which are linked to the reductions in traffic volume and industrial activities during the lockdown. Furthermore, the results show that the Jordanian government has implemented regulations to address air pollution in residential areas. These regulations aim to prevent the burning of trees and smoking. The government is also adopting new transportation technologies to reduce the impact of CO2 and other pollutants produced by diesel and gasoline vehicles. The use of green fuels like synthetic natural gas, green methanol, or ammonia, as well as the increasing use of electric cars, are being encouraged. Implementing the bus rapid transit system, which started in 2021 and includes linked lines in the east and west areas of Jordan, has reduced the number of cars used and solved the main issues in crowded regions. Overall, the country has taken significant steps to address and control air pollution.

Allelopathy can be a viable approach to address the issues of environmental degradation by reducing the use of herbicides and herbicide-resistant weeds. Allelopathic crop residues have a lot of potential for improving soil quality and suppressing weed growth. A field experiment at an agronomic research farm, Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab, examined the effects of water extracts and crop residues from sorghum on the population of weeds, indices of weed management, and the productivity of field peas. The experiment during the year 2022-2023 comprised in randomized block design with 2 levels of Sorghum water extract (1:10, 1:20 w/v), 3 levels of Sorghum stalk soil incorporation @ 2, 4, 6 Mg.ha-1, Sorghum surface mulching at 10tonnes ha-1, Field pea and rabi sorghum intercropping at 2:1, Weedy check and hand weeding. The findings showed that the sorghum surface mulching, addition of sorghum water extract, and sorghum stalk incorporation significantly altered the dynamics of weeds which was comparable with hand weeding. In the case of weed density (9.17 no.m-2), weed fresh (7.66g), and dry weight (3.0g) hand weeding gave the best result which was followed by sorghum surface mulching with 10.77 weeds no.m-2, 10.11 g weed fresh weight and 4.26gm weed dry weight. The highest weed control efficiency (80.9%) was recorded in hand weeding which was followed by sorghum water extract (1:10) and sorghum stalk incorporation (4 Mg.ha-1). The weed management index, weed persistence index, and agronomic management index showed an inverse relationship with weed control efficiency. Hand weeding (20, 40, 60 DAS) gave the highest grain yield (2897 kg.ha-1) of field pea followed by Sorghum surface mulching. Yield attributes were calculated which prescribed that all the treatments significantly reduced the weed infestation and increased the yield attributes over a weedy check. Hand weeding gave the best result, but it is not economical due to the intensive labor requirement. Initiating sustainable weed control and significantly improving the nutrient content of field peas can be achieved through sorghum surface mulching, sorghum stalk incorporation at 4 Mg.ha-1, and sorghum water extract (1:10). These practices can contribute to environmentally friendly and sustainable agriculture.

Humans have evolved to the point where we are the most sophisticated animals in the world. The point of evolution is for creatures to become more suited to their natural habitat. A new degree of evolutionary adaption has been attained through humans. Massive technological advancements, new governments, and metropolises have all taken place. Every one of these societal advancements has one overarching goal: to ensure that our species continues to exist. As a species, we’ve figured out how to divide ourselves up into nations defined by shared values, religion, geography, and history. Divergences in geography, culture, and history have always been a source of contention among human beings. These disparities have, in the worst-case scenarios, led to war. Many various things, including religion and wealth, have sparked wars throughout history. War, though, never ends well; destruction is an inevitable byproduct. After a conflict, everyone is talking about how many lives were lost, how much property was destroyed, and how much money was spent. But the ecosystem is a quiet casualty of war. Seldom given a second thought are the deaths and devastation that befall Earth’s ecosystems, natural resources, and population. One can not help but question the impact of modern warfare on the environment and the consequences for humanity as a whole. The moral and social consequences of modern warfare’s assault on the environment can be seen by looking at the historical record of environmental degradation caused by this conflict. It is possible to learn about past and future efforts to safeguard the environment from human aggression by considering the problem from philosophical, scientific, and religious vantage points. If the Earth is to be further devastated by contemporary weaponry and combat, the loss endured by the environment will make the death toll of any contemporary battle appear negligible. The preservation of the natural world is crucial to the continuation of the human race.