Ericoid mycorrhiza (ErM) is an unexplored and understudied member of the mycorrhizal world, surprisingly belonging to Ascomycota and Basidiomycota instead of Glomeromycota (the phylum comprising fungi forming associations with higher plants). ErM obtained its etymology due to its symbiotic relationship with members of the Ericaceae Family. Just like any other mycorrhiza, ErM also helps its hosts through nitrogen uptake and phosphorus bioavailability and provides defense to host plants against various phytopathogens. It also takes part in the decomposition of organic matter and depolymerization of complex substances. These mycorrhizae are distributed across all continents except Antarctica. The majority of culturable ErM is spread across England, Australia, Canada, the United States etc. This review focuses on the literature survey on ErM, its taxonomy, and diversity alongside its functions. Our review also sheds light on the host range of the ericoid fungi, wherein, out of all the hosts, Salal (Gautheria shallon) has been identified as one of the most promising ones

The waste problem has become a big problem in Indonesia as the population continues to grow. The daily amount of waste generated in Yogyakarta City is 303.13 tons.day-1, with the composition of the largest waste source, namely household waste, around 63.75%. This data shows that there is a need for improvements related to management; 3R Temporary Waste Disposal Sites is an alternative for reducing waste before it is transported to the final processing place. This research aims to understand performance and waste transportation management and evaluate the level of waste management and sustainability of waste management at 3R Temporary Waste Disposal Sites Nitikan Yogyakarta. This research was conducted on 99 respondents using a purposive sampling method; the data analysis used was the evaluation of waste transportation, analysis of incoming, managed, and unmanaged waste data, categorization of questionnaire data, evaluation of waste management performance and analysis of the sustainability of waste management using RAPFISH software. The research results show that waste volume management at 3R Temporary Waste Disposal Sites Nitikan is 941.15 kg.day-1, and compost production is 190.65 kg.day-1. Transport management is carried out using the Stationary Container System (SCS) and is carried out 2 times. The evaluation of waste management performance is moderate, with a total relative value of 15.4, based on studies on the technical sector, institutional sector, financial sector, and the area of community participation. Based on the attribute index in each sector, it is concluded that the sustainability status of waste sorting and management at 3R Temporary Waste Disposal Sites Nitikan is 79.03, or very sustainable.

Antibiotic removal poses a serious risk to the environment due to its intricate structure. Consequently, scientists are developing new and efficient techniques to remove antibiotic compounds from wastewater. The goal of this study is to employ green Pithophora macroalgae to remove the antibiotic amoxicillin (AMX) from a water-based solution. With a focus on understanding the process, this study assesses the application of reacting AMX biosorption on the biomass of Pithophora algae in aqueous solutions using thermodynamic modeling. The determined thermodynamic characteristics show that an endothermic process is used in the biosorption of the antibiotic AMX, considering that AMX has a positive electrical charge of ΔHº at 49.796 KJ.moL-1. As ΔGº has a positive charge (2.982 kJ.moL-1, 3.718 kJ.moL-1, and 4.793 kJ.moL-1) for AMX at (298 K, 303 K, and 308 K, respectively. This positive result indicates that the reaction is not feasible or spontaneous. The decrease in chaos at the liquid/solid interface caused by AMX biosorption on Pithophora macro algae is reflected in the negative charge of ΔSº, which was -176.735 kJ.moL-1. The effect of temperature on the biosorption of AMX was investigated for different initial AMX concentrations. At a lower temperature of 298 K, the AMX molecules were more likely to diffuse into the internal pores of the Pithophora algae. This suggests that the diffusion rate of the adsorbate (AMX) across the bulk and pore boundaries of the biosorbent particles may be increased at lower temperatures. The findings of this study indicate that the biomass of the macroalgae Pithophora is a valuable biosorbent for the biosorption of AMX antibiotics, and it may have potential applications in the treatment of wastewater.

Urbanization and industrialization have caused a ubiquity of microplastics in the environmental system. An effective elimination technique is required for microplastics from industrial effluent and other wastewater systems due to its growing threats to the ecosystem and human health. The present study endeavors to evaluate the potential of the membrane bioreactor (MBR) technique in the removal of microplastics from paper recycling industry wastewater effluent. The effectiveness of the MBR system was evaluated relative to the conventional method used in industry for wastewater treatment. The paper recycling industrial effluent consists of 148 pieces/L of microplastics. The conventional treatment plant’s effluent is used as an MBR system influent, and MBR removes 64.9% of the microplastic present after the conventional treatment plant, which is ascribed to the complementary actions of membrane filtration. MBR technology offers a reliable and workable plan to decrease the quantity of microplastics in industrial wastewater. It also offers a scalable solution that is consistent with sustainable environment management.

The present comprehensive study seeks to evaluate the institutional climate capacity of Community-based Organizations (CBOs) involved in coastal ecotourism conservation projects along the Maharashtra coastal region in India. The primary objective is to understand the community interactions, organizational structures, and adaptive capacities of CBOs in the face of climate change, utilizing an integrated approach through participative and stakeholder interaction. The research methodology employed through the integrated investigated assessment, which includes- focused group discussions (n=06) and a survey of key informants’ interviews and community participants (n=143), additionally were added to this set of data combined for a total of 204 respondents, to comprehensively evaluate the institutional climate capacity of the CSOs engaged in coastal ecotourism projects. The findings identify key dimensions influencing CBO-led conservation projects, emphasizing the importance of different actors’ interplay and processes reflected through the communities. Notable strengths include effective communication, inclusive planning, and budgetary processes contributing to climate action orientation, emphasizing strengths in communication, inclusive planning, and budgetary processes. Socially excluded groups actively participate, underscoring the significance of their involvement for project success. Integrating socio-cultural factors into climate change planning is highlighted, emphasizing the need for quantitative research in this area. These identified key dimensions influence the CSO’s institutional climate capacities.

Air pollution is the atmospheric state in which the concentration of specific elements has adverse impacts on human health as well as the environment, including global warming, transportation disruptions, acid rain, and ozone layer depletion. Nowadays, a large portion of the world’s population lives in urban areas, where population growth and the increasing number of vehicles have significantly worsened air quality. Clean air is essential for the health and well-being of any region’s environment and its inhabitants. Henceforth, the primary focus of this research endeavor is to meticulously scrutinize the levels of key air pollutants, notably nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and sulfur dioxide (SO₂), leveraging satellite remote sensing data obtained from TROPOMI EXPLORER across a network of monitoring stations dispersed throughout Lucknow City. Additionally, it aims to meticulously dissect groundbased air quality monitoring data to validate and amalgamate the observations derived from satellite technology. Furthermore, it analyzes the distribution of concentrations of primary air pollutants, encompassing NO₂, SO₂, and PM₁₀, within Lucknow City, juxtaposing them against the stringent benchmarks stipulated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for air quality standards. Moreover, it endeavors to ascertain the deleterious health ramifications of air pollution by correlating air quality metrics with health outcomes among the denizens of Lucknow City through a meticulously crafted questionnaire survey. The scrutiny of satellite imagery unveiled a conspicuous escalation in the concentration of air pollution parameters vis-à-vis the WHO’s prescribed thresholds, portending consequential adverse ramifications for both the environment and human health.

Plant stresses are the conditions that adversely affect the growth, development, or productivity of plants/trees and can be caused by various physical, chemical, and biological factors. On the other hand, stress brought on by heavy metal exposure significantly impairs plant development and output. These heavy metal contaminations are responsible for the harmful effects on biotic (plants and associated organisms) and the abiotic (soil, water, and air) environment. Mining operations are thought to be the main cause of heavy metal pollution in the environment if they are not adequately controlled. Phytoremediation provides an efficient, carbon-neutral, and environmentally friendly way to remove dangerous heavy metal contamination from various settings. It can efficiently treat a broad spectrum of heavy metal contaminants. Phytoremediation enhances the development and growth of plants and nourishes the environment, resulting in the ill effects of climate extremes in disturbed areas and hence mitigating the impacts of climate change. Although phytoremediation has been extensively researched for the treatment of heavy metal stress in India’s degraded ecosystems, where it is most needed, it has not yet reached economic viability. Through this article, we tried to minimize this gap by reviewing some important phytoremediation studies in India that successfully reduced the negative impacts of heavy metals in different degraded ecosystems. PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) review principles were used to outline the selected studies giving a knowledge that most of the phytoremediation works in India have been performed on Shrubs (28.40%) closely followed by Tree species (26.28%) then in Herbs (17.65%), Grasses (17.25%) and Aquatic Plants (10.43%). Also, the trend has seen a spike after 2018 with most phytoremediation studies in the states of West Bengal. The studies reviewed in this article show us a pathway for implementing and managing remediation methods to reduce the heavy metal stress exerted on plants and enhance the metabolic and physiochemical processes of the plant.

The present field study was conducted to evaluate the effects of mulching and weed control methods on the nutrient and weed dynamics of Kharif Sorghum. The research was conducted in the Agronomy farm of Lovely Professional University in Phagwara, Punjab, during the summer of 2023. The experiment utilized a randomized block design with three replications. A total of six treatments were used, each with different amounts of treatment applied to assess the effects on the growth, yield, and weed characteristics of sorghum. The growth metrics, including plant height, leaf count, stem circumference, leaf area index, and chlorophyll content, saw significant improvement as a result of the amplified influence of mulching and weed management. Treatment T1, which excluded weeds, yielded the greatest plant height (134.69 cm), number of leaves (8.73), stem girth (10.14 cm) at harvest, leaf area index (7.78), and chlorophyll content (53.74) at 90 days after sowing (DAS). The T1 treatment, which was free of weeds, had the most favorable production characteristics. The grain yield was recorded at 2.15 t.ha-1, the straw yield at 4.59 t.ha-1, and the harvest index at 22.54%. The highest protein concentration was observed as 10.84% in T1 (Weed free) and 10.73% in T2 (Sugarcane trash). In addition, the characteristics of the weed, including the number of weeds, the effectiveness of weed management, and the weight of the weeds, were shown to be highest in dicots at 120 days after sowing (DAS). Treatment T1, which involved the complete removal of weeds, exhibited no weed population and achieved the maximum level of weed control effectiveness and dry weight. The study’s findings indicated that the use of T1 (Weed-free) treatment had a substantial influence on different growth, yield, and weed characteristics. Effective management of essential inputs, such as cultivation, fertilizers, and weed management, is vital for improving overall productivity and stability

This study investigated the efficacy of oxidised iron-loaded activated carbon cloth (Fe-ACC) for selective recovery of phosphorous. The capacitive deionisation (CDI) technology was employed, for rapid removal of phosphate, with the aim of reducing the reliance on high alkalinity environment for the regeneration of Fe-ACC electrode. Multiple experimental parameters, including applied potential, pH, and co-existing ions, were studied. Additionally, the CDI system was tested on a real water matrix (Lake Ormstrup, Denmark) to elucidate the electrodes’ performance on selective recovery of phosphate. About 69 ± 10% of the adsorbed phosphate were released at pH 12 via pure chemical desorption, which was ~ 50% higher than that at pH 9. The CDI system successfully demonstrated the selective removal of phosphate from the lake water. It reduced the concentration of phosphate from 1.69 to 0.49 mg/L with a 71% removal efficiency, while the removal percentages of other anions, namely chloride, sulphate, bromide, nitrite, nitrate, and fluoride, were 10%, 7%, 1%, 1.5%, 4%, and 7%, respectively.

Groundwater, an invaluable resource crucial for irrigation and drinking purposes, significantly impacts human health and societal advancement. This study aims to evaluate the groundwater quality in the Mnasra region of the Gharb Plain, employing a comprehensive analysis of thirty samples collected from various locations, based on thirty-three physicochemical parameters. Utilizing tools like the Pollution Index of Groundwater (PIG), Nitrate Pollution Index (NPI), Water Quality Index (WQI), Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI), as well as Multivariate Statistical Approaches (MSA), and the Geographic Information System (GIS), this research identifies the sources of groundwater pollution. The results revealed Ca2+ dominance among cations and Cl− as the primary anion. The Piper and Gibbs diagrams illustrated the prevalent Ca2+-Cl− water type and the significance of water–rock interactions, respectively. The PIG values indicated that 86.66% of samples exhibited “Insignificant pollution”. NPI showed notable nitrate pollution (1.48 to 7.06), with 83.33% of samples rated “Good” for drinking based on the WQI. The IWQI revealed that 80% of samples were classified as “Excellent” and 16.66% as “Good”. Spatial analysis identified the eastern and southern sections as highly contaminated due to agricultural activities. These findings provide valuable insights for decision-makers to manage groundwater resources and promote sustainable water management in the Gharb region.