Abstract: Sandy beaches in the Central Region of Veracruz (RCV) face constant anthropogenic pressure from port and urban activities. This study aimed to evaluate total hydrocar-bon (TH) concentrations in the intertidal interstitial water of five beaches in the RCV, analyzing their variability by depth (15 and 30 cm) and seasonality (northerly winds, dry, and rainy seasons). TH determination was performed using gas chromatography (GC-FID), following the NMX-AA-117-SCFI-2001 and NOM-138-SEMARNAT/SSA1-2012 standards. Results showed concentrations ranging from 0.86 to 6.53 µg L⁻¹. Significant spatial differences were identified (p < 0.05); An-tepuerto beach presented the highest levels due to its proximity to the port, while Far-allón showed the lowest concentrations, confirming its role as a reference site. No sig-nificant variations were detected by depth or season (p > 0.05), indicating temporal stability associated with continuous anthropogenic inputs. Although levels comply with Mexican regulations, the continuous presence of TH represents a potential risk to benthic biota and the integrity of the Veracruz Reef System (SAV). This study pro-vides a critical baseline for strengthening coastal ecosystem management strategies in the Gulf of Mexico.

Abstract: Quantitative results demonstrate that the 4D stratified model significantly improved soil quality and vertical structural complexity; vegetation density increased from 5 to 35 plants/m², while species richness exhibited a fourfold increase. Beyond biophysical restoration, the intervention catalyzed a "narrative inversion," transitioning the site from a stigmatized wasteland to a socio-ecological hub that fosters collaborative health literacy and community resilience. By integrating agroecological practices with the EcoFoodFertility clinical framework, the project illustrates the potential of localized interventions to function as "preventive infrastructures" within a One Health paradigm. The findings suggest that SAFS represents a scalable laboratory for territorial re-signification, offering transferable insights for aligning ecological restoration with social innovation in degraded peri-urban landscapes, in accordance with Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and European Green Deal objectives.

Abstract: Soil health is fundamental for food security, climate regulation, and ecosystem resili-ence, yet global research and development efforts remain uneven and fragmented. To date, no study has comprehensively integrated development investments, scientific output, and technological innovation into a unified assessment of global soil health dynamics. Addressing this gap, this study provides a multi-scalar analysis of soil health research from 1990 to 2025 by combining international project data and scien-tific publications activity across six key thematic domains. This time frame captures the transition from conventional soil research to modern molecular and next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based approaches. Using a PRISMA-based methodology, we analyzed 1,402 World Bank projects, 190 mi-crobiome-related projects from CORDIS, and bibliometric data from Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. Results show sustained global growth in soil research, with nu-trient management and soil degradation remaining dominant, while soil microbiome research and carbon sequestration have expanded rapidly, particularly after 2015. Despite this growth, significant regional disparities persist, with research concentrated in Asia, Europe, and North America. To address the lack of a coherent microbiome-based soil health assessment system, we propose a structured microbial indicator framework based on twelve functional mi-crobial groups, evaluated through culturable abundance, functional gene abundance, and relative abundance. Additionally, we introduce a unified, database-driven micro-biome reference framework that interprets soils relative to known types and condi-tions. This approach enables more standardized, scalable, and context-aware diagnos-tics, supporting the identification of healthy, degraded, and transitional soil states.

Abstract: Precipitation variability in the VMD is a critical determinant of agricultural productivity, freshwater availability, and flood and drought dynamics in one of Southeast Asia's most climate-vulnerable regions. Teleconnections between PPTA and three dominant climate modes (Niño 3.4, DMI and PDO) were quantified at ten meteorological stations from 1981 to 2025 using Pearson lag-correlation and WTC. ENSO is identified as the primary interannual driver, exhibiting a peak negative correlation at a lag of two months (r = −0.304, p < 0.001; 9.2% variance explained). The IOD exerts a secondary, delayed influence, peaking at lags of 11 to 12 months (r = 0.186, p < 0.001; 3.5% variance). The PDO functions as a persistent decadal modulator: positive phases suppress annual precipitation by 4.6%, while negative phases enhance it by 14.5% relative to the long-term mean (6.4% variance). WTC analysis reveals non-stationary coherence at 2–5 year (ENSO) and 8–16 year (PDO) periodicities. Compound El Niño and positive PDO events result in the most severe precipitation deficits, with non-linear responses during strong ENSO phases. These results establish a multi-index teleconnection framework that supports seasonal drought early warning and climate-adaptive water resource management in the VMD.

Abstract: Geographical Indications (GIs) are increasingly promoted as instruments for rural up-grading and value capture in commodity-dependent economies. Yet empirical assess-ments of GI feasibility in smallholder export systems remain limited. This study eval-uates whether Cameroon’s red cocoa satisfies the scientific and institutional conditions required to support a credible GI strategy. We develop an integrated qualification framework encompassing four necessary con-ditions: agroecological distinctiveness, physicochemical differentiation, sensory dif-ferentiation, and governance feasibility. Spatial analysis, laboratory characterization, structured sensory evaluation, and institutional diagnostics are combined to assess whether these conditions jointly sustain origin-based differentiation. Results indicate that red cocoa exhibits territorially coherent agroecological features and statistically meaningful biochemical differentiation, including elevated polyphenol and anthocyanin profiles in core production zones. Sensory evaluation confirms identifiable flavor attributes consistent with fine-flavor positioning, though variability linked to post-harvest management affects reproducibility. Institutional analysis reveals partial readiness, with emerging production specifications under the OAPI framework but limited enforcement capacity and traceability infrastructure. The findings suggest that red cocoa meets several scientific preconditions for GI con-sideration, but governance consolidation and post-harvest standardization remain critical constraints. GI feasibility should therefore be interpreted as conditional rather than automatic. More broadly, the study contributes an integrated analytical approach for assessing origin-based upgrading strategies in Global South commodity systems under increasing sustainability regulation.

Abstract: The rapid urbanisation in Ghana has outpaced municipal infrastructure, leaving cities like Accra struggling to manage daily waste. Municipalities and private waste management companies are struggling with significant uncollected municipal solid waste and a high reliance on unsanitary disposal methods. These problems have resulted in serious environmental degradation and public health issues. Despite Ghana having a strong legislative system, there is a significant functional disconnect between policy formulation and local implementation. This study evaluates the existing policies and acts governing Ghana's solid waste management system and explores the potential to integrate informal waste pickers into the formal system. Also, by identifying systemic gaps and policy-driven opportunities, the study seeks to recommend data-driven modelling approaches that prioritise both technological improvement and social inclusion to achieve a sustainable circular economy. Employing a convergent mixed-methods research design, the study utilised semi-structured questionnaire to collect data from 13 purposively selected expert stakeholders across different governing bodies. This allowed for quantitative descriptive method to identify systemic trends and a qualitative thematic analysis of open-ended responses, ensuring a complete evaluation of MSW governance landscape in Ghana. The findings reveal an institutional maze characterised by fragmented law enforcement, financial constraints and a complete absence of formal monitoring systems. The findings also show that informal waste pickers lack recognition, social protection and technical support. The study recommends data-driven modelling approaches such as optimisation models, multi-criteria decision-making tools and Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) that align and integrate institutional frameworks with inclusive social policies.

Abstract: Climate change and variability pose serious threats to natural and human systems. The Mediterranean region and North Africa (MNA) are among the world’s climate change hotspots. An in-depth understanding of decadal climate variability over this region is critical for climate prediction to support planning and management, as well as adaptation in important sectors such as water resources. Therefore, the observation-based ERA5 precipitation and the outputs of the CORDEX-CORE regional models are used to characterise the decadal precipitation variability over these regions. The influence of a set of large-scale climatic indices (Atlantic Meridional Mode: AMM, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation: AMO, Arctic Oscillation: AO, Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation: IPO, North Atlantic Oscillation: NAO, Pacific Decadal Oscillation: PDO, Scandinavia: SCAND, and Western Mediterranean Oscillation: WeMO) on the decadal precipitation is also examined. The results reveal certain discrepancies between ERA5 and the CORDEX-CORE models’ values. Overestimations and underestimations are found between the models and observations, depending on the region and season. However, the capability of multi-model mean (MME) is better in capturing observation patterns over MNA, SMED, and NMED at all time scales; while REMO-Nor and MME perform better than the remaining models over two regions (SAH and WNA) at the annual time scale. As revealed by ERA5, MME confirmed that AMO, NAO, SCAND, and WeMO have more influence on precipitation over the entire region than others. These findings are useful for climate modelling enhancement and predictions in the region that still needs development of multi-annual to decadal time scales, especially in North Africa.

Abstract: Low‑level jets (LLJs) play an important role in the transport of heat, water vapor, and pollutants. Based on one year of tropospheric wind profiler radar (RWP) observations, this study systematically analyzes the wind field structure in the middle and lower troposphere over the Chengdu region, as well as the vertical distribution and evolution characteristics of LLJs. The results show that the effective detection height of the wind profiler radar reaches 7.4 km throughout the year, demonstrating good consistency with radiosonde data. Horizontal wind speed accelerates significantly above 3 km, with the highest vertical gradient of wind speed occurring in winter. The prevailing wind direction in the lower layer is mainly influenced by mountain‑valley breezes; with increasing altitude, the westerly belt gradually becomes the dominant wind system. Within the atmospheric boundary layer (below 1 km), the wind field exhibits a distinct diurnal variation: easterly winds dominate in the afternoon, shifting to northerly winds at night. The peak surface wind speed occurs in the afternoon, while the peak upper‑level wind speed occurs at night. The occurrence frequency of LLJs is highest in July, followed by April. The prevailing wind directions of LLJs are north‑northeasterly and northeasterly, and the jet core heights are mainly distributed between 0.7 and 1.9 km. Both the occurrence frequency and intensity of LLJs are higher at night than during the day. These findings deepen our understanding of the boundary layer structure over complex basin terrain.

Abstract: This study presents a comprehensive PRISMA 2020-compliant systematic review of satellite remote sensing approaches used to monitor vegetation responses to climate change over the period 2000–2025. A total of 757 peer-reviewed studies were analysed to evaluate trends in sensor usage, spectral indices, machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) applications, geographic distribution, and methodological practices. Results indicate a rapid growth in research output, particularly after 2019, driven by the availability of high-resolution satellite data (e.g., Sentinel-2), cloud computing platforms, and advances in artificial intelligence. MODIS, Landsat, and Sentinel-2 emerged as dominant sensors, while NDVI remains the most widely used vegetation index despite known limitations. Random Forest and regression models continue to dominate analytical approaches, although DL methods such as CNNs and LSTMs are increasingly adopted. The review identifies significant geographic inequities, with over 80% of studies originating from Global North institutions, and highlights underrepresentation of critical ecosystems such as drylands, peatlands, and shrublands. Furthermore, inconsistent reporting of model performance metrics and limited adoption of open science practices constrain reproducibility and cross-study comparison. The study concludes by outlining key research gaps and providing strategic recommendations to advance the integration of multi-sensor data, improve methodological standardisation, and promote equitable and reproducible research in vegetation–climate remote sensing.

Abstract: Nitrate contamination of groundwater is a growing concern in tropical island settings, where shallow aquifers serve as the primary drinking water source. This study assessed nitrate concentrations, spatial distribution patterns, and compliance with drinking water guidelines across 35 sampling wards in five districts of Unguja Island, Zanzibar. Groundwater samples were collected from wells and boreholes (depths 1.03-28.43 m) and analyzed for nitrate using ion spectrophotometry alongside physicochemical parameters (pH, electrical conductivity, temperature and chloride). Nitrate concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 331.6 mg/L (overall mean: 34.7 mg/L). While the overall mean fell below the World Health Organization (WHO) and Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) threshold of 50 mg/L, it exceeded the U.S. Approximately 22.9% of sites exceeded the WHO limit, and 65.7% exceeded the EPA limit. Approximately 22.9% of sites exceeded the WHO limit, and 65.7% exceeded the EPA limit. The highest concentrations were recorded at Kivunge (170.1 ± 132.89 mg/L), Mtoni (134.9 ± 131.8 mg/L), and Pwani Mchangani (112.58 ± 97.28 mg/L). North A district had the highest mean concentration (65.5 mg/L), followed by West (42.1 mg/L) and South (40.5 mg/L). Statistical analysis revealed significant inter-district differences (p &lt; 0.05) but weak correlations between nitrate and well depth (r = -0.012) or electrical conductivity (r = 0.104), suggesting localized anthropogenic sources rather than natural hydrogeological controls. The results call for district-specific monitoring programs, improved sanitation infrastructure, and regulation of fertilizer use to protect public health in Zanzibar. The results call for district-specific monitoring programs, improved sanitation infrastructure, and regulation of fertilizer use to protect public health in Zanzibar.

Abstract: The present study assessed heavy metal and microbial contamination in soil and groundwater around a municipal solid waste dumpsite in Zomba, Malawi. The potential ecological and health risks to communities were also examined. The results revealed that wet season groundwater had elevated total coliforms (20900 CFU/100 mL), Escherichia coli (3300 CFU/100 mL), Staphylococcus aureus (2500 CFU/100 mL), and Vibrio cholerae (5900 CFU/100 mL), which were significantly higher than the permissible limits of the Malawi Standards. In water samples, heavy metals, in-cluding Chromium (0.011–0.14 mg/L) and Cadmium (0. 07 – 041 mg/L), raise concern. In the soil samples, the Lead concentration ranged from 0.16 to 224.05 mg/kg, the Copper ranged from 3.03 to 94.86 mg/kg, the Cadmium concentration varied between the BDL and 0.89 mg/kg, Arsenic ranged from the BDL to 1.88 mg/kg, and the Cr varied between 0.07 and 0.91 mg/kg. Further-more, the cancer risk assessment indicated that all sampling points had CR levels greater than 1 × 10^-3 for adults, with 40% of the sampling points showing elevated CR levels for infants and chil-dren, highlighting the cancer risk from Cd exposure, especially among vulnerable populations.

Abstract: The development of healthy mangroves strongly depends on several factors including water physiochemical characteristics, soil composition and tidal inundation regimes. This paper presents a characterization of tidal inundation regimes for mangroves in Abu Dhabi, based on a field measurement campaign combined with hydrodynamic modelling. Water-level measurements were collected over a 9-month period at a site where Avicennia marina is present and widespread, capturing spring-neap cycles and seasonal variability. The results provide a detailed quantification of tidal inundation characteristics. Mangroves at the study site were inundated for approximately 33-56% of the time, depending on the season, with higher inundation durations during summer months associated with seasonal mean sea level variability. Mean inundation durations averaged 371 min per event and 620 min per day, with an average of 1.7 inundation events per day. A hydrodynamic numerical model was developed and validated against in situ measurements. Model outputs were used to spatially extend site-specific observations and derive estimates of suitable ground elevation for mangrove development, corresponding to values between +0.12 m and +0.14 m relative to local mean sea level. These findings provide a physically based framework to support mangrove restoration and conservation efforts in Abu Dhabi, where improper tidal exposure remains a key factor limiting restoration success.

Abstract: Microplastic contamination in coral reef environments is increasingly recognized as a global concern; however, the extent to which polymer composition can resolve contamination sources and transport processes remains poorly understood. In this study, we assessed the abundance, composition, and diversity of microplastics (< 300 µm) across multiple reef systems in the Cuban archipelago using high-resolution spectroscopic analysis. Microplastic abundance varied substantially among sites, with a median concentration of 66 particles L⁻¹ (IQR: 45–115 particles L⁻¹), ranging from 8 to 218 particles L⁻¹. A total of 11 polymer types were identified, with polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyamide (PA) dominating the assemblages and accounting for approximately 77% of detected particles. While these polymers were consistently observed across all sites, indicating a pervasive regional background signal, highly impacted reefs exhibited more complex polymer profiles, including the enrichment of polyurethane (PU), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), reflecting localized anthropogenic inputs. Multivariate analysis revealed distinct compositional groupings associated with different contamination regimes. Notably, some sites exhibited elevated microplastic abundances while remaining dominated by common polymers, indicating a decoupling between contamination levels and source-specific signatures. This pattern suggests that regional transport and mixing processes, including circulation through the Caribbean basin and the Yucatán Channel, play a major role in shaping microplastic distributions in reef environments. These findings demonstrate that polymer composition provides critical information beyond abundance alone, enabling the differentiation between source-driven contamination and transport-driven accumulation. The integration of polymer-specific analysis with abundance and diversity metrics offers a robust framework for improving source apportionment and informing monitoring and management strategies in coral reef systems.

Abstract: The performance of a sequencing batch biofilter granular reactor (SBBGR), followed by a dual media granular activated carbon (GAC) column, was evaluated in terms of its ability to remove selected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from landfill leachate. The results show that the SBBGR achieved an overall reduction of 51%, with the preferential removal of long-chain PFAS, while short-chain PFAS were only partially removed. Subsequent GAC treatment exhibited compound-specific breakthrough behaviour, which was governed by chain length. Short-chain PFAS (e.g., perfluorobutanoic acid) exhibited rapid bed volumes at 50% breakthrough (BV₅₀ ≈ 88), whereas long-chain PFAS (e.g., perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) were substantially more retained (BV₅₀ ≈ 446 and 361, respectively), with perfluorohexanesulfonic acid and perfluorodecanoic acid failing to reach BV₅₀ within the monitored period. Mass balance analysis showed that the hybrid GAC column captured ~73% of the influent PFAS mass. This resulted in >80–95% retention of long-chain PFAS and < 40% retention of short-chain PFAS. Although long-chain PFAS were preferentially adsorbed, mobile short-chain species dominated residual effluent loads. These findings highlight the need for optimized contact times or dual-media strategies to control the breakthrough of short-chain PFAS.

Abstract: Accurate three-dimensional representations of tree structure are essential for fire modeling, radiative transfer simulation, synthetic data generation, and digital twins of forests, yet detailed 3D structure is rarely available at required scales. Current approaches approximate crowns with smooth geometric primitives, discarding the clumping, gaps, and irregular branching present in real trees. We present TreeFlow, a conditional flow matching model that generates realistic 3D tree point clouds from species, acquisition platform, and height. The model uses a transformer trained on real laser scanning data from the FOR-species20K benchmark to learn a velocity field transporting samples from a Gaussian distribution to the source data distribution. We evaluate generation quality by comparing conditioning and distributional fidelity metrics to scans of real trees. Generated trees match or approach the intra-class baseline on five of six metrics, with a Chamfer distance of 0.581 m versus 0.559 m for real trees of the same genus and height class. Performance is strongest below 25 m and degrades with increasing height. TreeFlow is the first flow matching model to produce 3D tree point clouds from scalar inventory attributes using real laser scanning data.

Abstract: Wild foods and geophagic material are important in the nutrition of communities along Zimbabwe’s Great Dyke, a serpentinic ultramafic (SUG) and surrounding granitic geological (GG) environment. However, the health risks associated with consumptions of these in terms of toxic geogenic contaminants (TGC) is largely unknown. The study objective was to evaluate the health risks associated with consuming wild foods and geophagic materials from these environments. Health risk assessments were determined using Hazard Quotient, Hazard Index (HI) and Life Cancer Risk (LCR) for 10 TGCs, in wild foods and geophagic material. High human health risks (HI ≥ 1) were found in six wild foods and geophagic material under the SUG environment, compared with five wild foods and geophagic material under the GG environment. Wild foods and geophagic materials exceeded the tolerable risk level of 1x10-4. Their LCR values ranged from 1.22 x 10-3 to 8.77 × 10-2. All TGCs had a high LCR values above the tolerable risk level, except for Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. Infusion reduced the LCR values for TGCs with only Pb in GG environment decreasing to below tolerable risk level. Communities should apply selective consumption and avoid F. sycomorus and geophagic materials with cancer risks.

Abstract: In the Republic of Kazakhstan, more than 300 million tons of ash are stored in dumps, containing substantial quantities of valuable metals. The aim of this work is to achieve waste-free and carbon-neutral processing of Ekibastuz coal. The innovations include: a smelter using new "ideal mixing–ideal displacement" method, lowering energy consumption by two to three times compared to current models; extraction degree exceeding 70% for germanium and zinc, and successful production of stone-cast products; a distiller based on the "counter colliding jets" method, with tenfold reduction in energy consumption, compared to a traditional one; a zinc-method for hydrogen production, reducing electricity to one-third of that required by electrolysis; carbon reduction from its dioxide by hydrogen. The analysis suggests that reaching carbon neutrality by 2060 for a boiler with a power rating of 125 MW will necessitate increasing its power output by approximately 2.58 times. A comprehensive assessment of the economic efficiency related to the processing of Ekibastuz coal, including 15% gas decarbonization, suggests that the system could realize a payback period of around eight years.

Abstract: Urban areas are increasingly affected by geological and climate-driven processes that influence their safety, functionality, and long-term resilience. Conventional sustainability indicators mainly focus on anthropogenic impacts on the environment, while the role of subsurface conditions and physical processes shaping urban vulnerability remains underrepresented. To address this gap, the Urban Geo-climate Footprint (UGF) introduces an inverse perspective, assessing how geological and climatic factors exert pressure on urban systems. The methodology is based on the breakdown of geological effects into five drivers, Geology, Deep Geological Processes, Surface Processes, Exogenous and Climatic Processes, and Subsurface Anthropogenic Pressure. These drivers, in the derived tool, are articulated into 22 parameters evaluated from public datasets and expert judgment. These parameters are combined into a synthetic, standardised, reproducible and comparable index, the UGF Score Index (UGF-SI), ranging from 0 to 500 which enables direct comparison across cities and contexts. The application to 21 Italian cities highlights distinct spatial patterns, dominant drivers, and groups of cities facing similar geo-climatic challenges. The UGF framework represents a significant advancement in urban geoscience, supporting urban planning, risk awareness, and climate adaptation strategies by enhancing the understanding of subsurface-related pressures and promoting informed decision-making.

Abstract: With the increasing availability of high-resolution (< 50m) space borne night time light imagery, it is now becoming more feasible to examine the correspondence between space borne and ground based measurements of night lights. However, so far there were very few studies that conducted a ground-based campaign of night time brightness measurements during the overpass of a night light sensitive satellite. Here we tested whether the correspondence between measurements is higher when ground-based are conducted at the same time of the satellite overpass. We conducted measurements using a LANcube photometer along the same route in two consecutive nights (27-28 Aug 2025) in Brisbane, Australia, and compared them with a SDGSAT-1 (10-40m) and Haishao-1 (10m) images acquired concurrently at the evening, and with an early morning ISS photo (8m) acquired three months earlier. We found the correlation between ground based and space-borne measurements was not higher for simultaneous measurements, and the explanatory power of our model predicting night time brightness as measured from space increased when including horizontal and upwards ground-based brightness measurements along-side variables of canopy height, land use and road hierarchy. We confirmed the importance of multi-directional ground measurements and urban structure for understanding night-time brightness levels measured from space.

Abstract: Amaranthus palmeri has become established in agricultural areas of the Brazilian Cerrado, where it threatens soybean and cotton yields. Conventional field scouting cannot cover the large properties typical of the region fast enough to detect infestation foci before seed set. We tested an automated detection approach using aerial images from a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), a DJI Matrice 300 RTK with a Zenmuse P1 camera (45 megapixels, MP), processed with YOLOv11x (You Only Look Once, version 11, extra-large). Four field campaigns in Sapezal, Mato Grosso, produced roughly 40,000 images over soybean and cotton at different weed growth stages; flight tests at 90, 20, and 12 m showed that 12–20 m altitude is needed to resolve individual plants. Two specialists annotated 382 Amaranthus individuals (A. palmeri and A. hybridus), split 70/30 for training and validation. Overall performance reached 84% precision, 84% recall, and 88% mean average precision at Intersection-over-Union 0.5 (mAP@0.5); for A. palmeri alone the figures were 95%, 93%, and 99%, respectively, with 98% accuracy in the confusion matrix and virtually no cross-class confusion. Within these limits, RPA imagery and deep learning can replace manual scouting for A. palmeri at the farm scale.