Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized utilizing various methods, including bioreducing agents. The synthesis involved the use of silver nitrate (AgNO3) as the precursor and banana frond extract as the bioreducing agent, with different volume ratios being tested. Subsequently, the most optimal variant of AgNPs was immobilized onto activated carbon (AC) derived from soybean seeds. The AgNPs/SAC composite was subjected to thorough characterization using UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A series of degradation experiments were then conducted using methylene blue, with the reaction duration following a specific protocol. A comparison of methylene blue concentrations before and after the photodegradation process was made to assess the reaction’s efficacy. The findings revealed that the ideal ratio between the bioreducing agent and precursor was 9:30 (v/v). The AgNPs/SAC composite exhibited a peak absorption at a wavelength of 420-440 nm. The UV-DRS characterization of AgNPs/SAC unveiled a band gap energy of 1.52 eV. The AgNPs supported on AC displayed a peak absorption wavelength of 5,438.5 nm, showcasing a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure. The AgNPs/SAC effectively decreased the concentration of methylene blue through a combination of adsorption and photodegradation mechanisms, achieving efficiencies of 35.3813% and 81.1636%, respectively. The AgNPs/SAC composite demonstrates significant potential for efficient and sustainable water treatment.

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.

Effective treatment of industrial wastewater effluents before discharging them to the soil and water bodies has always been one of the paramount environmental concerns. The pollutants in untreated wastewater effluents have hazardous implications for human health and the ecosystem. Conventional physical and chemical processes of industrial wastewater treatment have many complications and they often fall short in the treatment of new and diverse varieties of pollutants. Several microbial strains in nature have shown their remediation property, but they possess limited efficiency in breaking down pollutants into non-toxic components. Synthetic biology is a perfect amalgam of two fields – biological science and engineering, and it has transformed our ways of understanding the functioning of complex biological systems. Researchers have reported that some engineered microbes can achieve remediation efficiency of up to 100% in specific pollutants such as heavy metals and hydrocarbons. For example, microbes like Pseudomonas veronii have been shown to reduce cadmium concentrations by up to 100%, and Pseudomonas putida has been shown to reduce phenol concentrations by 92%. Synthetic biology-based biosensors are also being developed for pollution monitoring and control of industrial wastewater. In this review, we discuss these advancements of synthetically engineered microorganisms in the treatment of industrial wastewater.

This study investigates the use of thermal indexes, specifically Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) and Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), to determine outdoor comfort in the Bogor Botanical Gardens (KRB). This park is centrally located in Bogor city, with elevations ranging from 215-260 m above sea level. The thermal sensation was determined using seven references: PET in Europe, Taiwan, Tianjin, Tel Aviv, and UTCI in the Mediterranean, Tianjin, and general contexts. The study involved 284 visitors surveyed for their thermal comfort perceptions. Findings indicate that, based on thermal sensation criteria from the seven references, KRB is generally not within the comfort zone throughout the year, except for the PET in Taiwan, which is comfortable year-round. In-situ measurements show an average daily PET of 33.8°C and UTCI of 34.4°C. According to the Taiwan PET range, the thermal sensation is categorized as somewhat warm to warm (uncomfortable). However, 69.4% of visitors reported feeling comfortable, likely due to the environmental conditions, with 70.3% tree coverage in the 54.7 ha park area.

Improper disposal of solid waste obstructs drainage systems and pollutes surface water. Additionally, the dumping of unsorted garbage generates emissions and leachate, which harm local ecosystems and contribute to climate change. With Rewari City’s growing population, effective municipal solid waste management, including landfill site selection, is crucial. This study employs Geographic Information System (GIS), Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP), and Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) methodologies to determine appropriate sites for landfills. The FAO, ALOS PALSAR DEM, Sentinel 2B images, Google Earth Pro, and interviews were employed to gather data. The results of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) indicate that 35.4% of the parameters under consideration are associated with Land Use Land Cover (LULC), whereas roads rank as the second most significant criterion, accounting for 24.0%. The WLC technique determined that 4.65 square kilometers were inappropriate for dump sites, while 0.11 square kilometers were extremely favorable. These findings can assist decision-makers in determining the order of importance for variables when selecting a landfill location.

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.

The study assessed the efficiency of immobilized algae (Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turpin) Brébisson) in treating copper toxicity in common carp fish. Acute toxicity of copper towards carp fish was determined. Fish were exposed in aqueous tanks to different heavy metal concentrations (10, 15, 25, and 35 ppm) for 96 h to examine their response. The lethal concentration (LC50) of copper for common carp over 96 h was found to be 1.4 ppm, with fish mortality increasing gradually with higher metal concentrations. Subsequently, half of the LC50 concentration (0.7 ppm) was used as a chronic toxicity concentration, and fish were treated for 21 days to assess copper accumulation in their gills and muscles. Copper concentration in gills on day 5 of the experiment was 16.89 ± 2.2 mg.kg-1 (Mean ± S.D), a significant increase from in muscles, which recorded 10.72 ± 1.1 mg.kg-1 (Mean ± S.D). On day 21, the copper concentration decreased significantly in both gills (4.73 ± 0.5 mg.kg-1) and muscles (8.4 ± 4.5 mg.kg-1) compared to the control group (significant LSD 0.05). But the copper and algae group recorded on day 21 of the experiment (a significant decrease LSD 0.05) in both the gills (mg.kg-1) Mean± S.D) (4.73±0.5) and the muscles (mg.kg-1) Mean± S.D) (8.4±4.5) compared to the copper group. The removal rate in the gills was 75.57%, and in the muscles was 21.17%. Therefore, treatment with immobilized algae is an efficient and promising method for treating copper toxicity in aquatic environments.

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.

Hydraulic conductivity (K) as a parameter in surface and subsurface water interaction is an important study to research. Field observations using geoelectrics with the Schlumberger configuration and using infiltrometers with double ring were chosen as methods to estimate the (K) which aims to recognize the characteristics of the relationship between (K) obtained from different observation results. The estimated (K) obtained from infiltrometer observations are quite significant compared to geoelectric observations which range from 2.715 × 10-7 m/s to 6.132 × 10-7 m/s, while geoelectrical values range from 1.965 × 10-8 m/s to 3.896 × 10-9 m/s. In this study, the soil conditions in geoelectric observations were carried out in an unsaturated state and infiltrometer observations were in a saturated state. This soil condition is used as one of the reasons for interpreting the research results in this study, that the hydraulic conductivity in unsaturated soil conditions decreases compared to saturated soil.