Pub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-01-17DOI: 10.1016/j.pce.2026.104308
Ayoub Ghazzar, Abdelkader Larabi, Mohamed Jalal El Hamidi
Groundwater is one of the most valuable natural resources, particularly for coastal regions that depend on it for freshwater supply. However, under the influence of Climate Change (CC), groundwater is becoming increasingly scarce and vulnerable to contamination, either through anthropogenic activities or natural processes, such as seawater intrusion (SWI). This article reviews several studies that investigate the dynamics of SWI using lab-scale physical models. Researchers have adopted various experimental approaches, including modifications to the dimensions of physical models, selection of different materials for model components, and simulation of natural phenomena such as Sea Level Rise (SLR), tidal fluctuations, and variations in porous media homogeneity and heterogeneity. Additionally, human activities have been simulated through freshwater pumping experiments to assess their impact on saltwater intrusion dynamics. The studies reviewed in this article have employed both visual observations and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) to monitor SWI processes, often complementing experimental work with numerical simulations. By analyzing and comparing these different methodologies, this review article provides insights into the strengths and limitations of various approaches, offering a comprehensive perspective on laboratory-scale investigations of SWI in coastal aquifers and serving as a practical guide for future research.
{"title":"A review of lab-scale physical models for SWI: From sharp to density-driven interface, with an analysis of model components and influencing physical factors","authors":"Ayoub Ghazzar, Abdelkader Larabi, Mohamed Jalal El Hamidi","doi":"10.1016/j.pce.2026.104308","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pce.2026.104308","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Groundwater is one of the most valuable natural resources, particularly for coastal regions that depend on it for freshwater supply. However, under the influence of Climate Change (CC), groundwater is becoming increasingly scarce and vulnerable to contamination, either through anthropogenic activities or natural processes, such as seawater intrusion (SWI). This article reviews several studies that investigate the dynamics of SWI using lab-scale physical models. Researchers have adopted various experimental approaches, including modifications to the dimensions of physical models, selection of different materials for model components, and simulation of natural phenomena such as Sea Level Rise (SLR), tidal fluctuations, and variations in porous media homogeneity and heterogeneity. Additionally, human activities have been simulated through freshwater pumping experiments to assess their impact on saltwater intrusion dynamics. The studies reviewed in this article have employed both visual observations and electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) to monitor SWI processes, often complementing experimental work with numerical simulations. By analyzing and comparing these different methodologies, this review article provides insights into the strengths and limitations of various approaches, offering a comprehensive perspective on laboratory-scale investigations of SWI in coastal aquifers and serving as a practical guide for future research.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54616,"journal":{"name":"Physics and Chemistry of the Earth","volume":"143 ","pages":"Article 104308"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146015538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-02-10DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosres.2026.108845
Qiang Li , Hongrong Shi , Yurui Xie , Rubin Jiang , Chaoying Wang , Yupeng Teng , Shuo Jia , Jianwei Wen , Disong Fu , Jiefan Yang , Xuehua Fan , Jinqiang Zhang , Xiaoqiong Zhen , Mengqi Liu , Husi Letu , Hongbin Chen , Xiang'ao Xia
The dynamical and microphysical processes that govern the lifecycle of hail-producing deep convective clouds (DCCs) remain poorly understood, limiting severe weather prediction. Here, we dissect a severe hailstorm that occurred over Inner Mongolia using multi-source observations, including Himawari-8 satellite data, Doppler radar, and a lightning mapping network. Our analysis reveals a tightly coupled co-evolution of cloud-top microphysical properties, cloud-top kinematics, and electrical activity. A key finding is the synchronization during rapid updraft intensification of a collapsing cloud-top effective radius (from ∼40 μm to ∼20 μm) with a surge in total lightning flash rate. Rapid updrafts likely shorten particle residence time, limiting particle growth while accelerating mixed-phase collisions and non-inductive charging, thereby promoting lightning jump activity. Critically, these abrupt changes in updraft velocity and lightning activity preceded surface hailfall and peak rainfall by approximately 30–40 min and 2 h, respectively. This study provides quantitative evidence that the integration of satellite, radar, and lightning observations can elucidate the microphysical pathways leading to severe convective weather and offers valuable lead time for improved nowcasting.
{"title":"Revealing the lifecycle evolution of hail-producing deep convective clouds by synergy of multi-source data","authors":"Qiang Li , Hongrong Shi , Yurui Xie , Rubin Jiang , Chaoying Wang , Yupeng Teng , Shuo Jia , Jianwei Wen , Disong Fu , Jiefan Yang , Xuehua Fan , Jinqiang Zhang , Xiaoqiong Zhen , Mengqi Liu , Husi Letu , Hongbin Chen , Xiang'ao Xia","doi":"10.1016/j.atmosres.2026.108845","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.atmosres.2026.108845","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The dynamical and microphysical processes that govern the lifecycle of hail-producing deep convective clouds (DCCs) remain poorly understood, limiting severe weather prediction. Here, we dissect a severe hailstorm that occurred over Inner Mongolia using multi-source observations, including Himawari-8 satellite data, Doppler radar, and a lightning mapping network. Our analysis reveals a tightly coupled co-evolution of cloud-top microphysical properties, cloud-top kinematics, and electrical activity. A key finding is the synchronization during rapid updraft intensification of a collapsing cloud-top effective radius (from ∼40 μm to ∼20 μm) with a surge in total lightning flash rate. Rapid updrafts likely shorten particle residence time, limiting particle growth while accelerating mixed-phase collisions and non-inductive charging, thereby promoting lightning jump activity. Critically, these abrupt changes in updraft velocity and lightning activity preceded surface hailfall and peak rainfall by approximately 30–40 min and 2 h, respectively. This study provides quantitative evidence that the integration of satellite, radar, and lightning observations can elucidate the microphysical pathways leading to severe convective weather and offers valuable lead time for improved nowcasting.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8600,"journal":{"name":"Atmospheric Research","volume":"336 ","pages":"Article 108845"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146153340","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1016/j.gr.2025.12.018
Jing Shi , Dawei Zhang , Hui Xu , Aokang Xu
The trade-off/synergy relationship among landscape elements exhibit pronounced spatial scale dependence and it profoundly affects the scientific rationality and practical effectiveness of regional ecological management decisions by altering the mechanisms of interactions among ecosystem services. While existing studies have made progress in characterizing multi-scale differences, there is still a lack of research on determining the optimal scale of management to maximize ecological benefits. Therefore, this study constructed a framework for analyzing scale effect resolution and optimal scale identification by integrating wavelet analysis, spatial autocorrelation and semi-variational functions. At the same time, by combining the XGBoost-SHAP model to interpret environmental factors exhibiting trade-off/synergy spatial heterogeneity, we proposed an optimal management scale optimization strategy based on comprehensive error minimization and took the interactive relationships among production, liveling, and ecological land use function (LUF) within the Heihe River Basin as the empirical subject. The research findings are as follows: 1) Spatial scale expansion strengthens the overall synergy between LUFs (by 0.07–0.24) but weakens the trade-off intensity within some grid cells; 2) The optimal ecological management scale in the study area was determined through semi-variogram optimal fitting to be 7 km, at which distance the trade-off/synergy fitting degree among all LUFs was optimal (with the highest r2 reaching 0.959); 3) Both natural and socio-economic factors influence the trade-off/synergy among land-use functions, and the trade-off areas are mainly located in the densely populated central oasis areas (accounting for up to 13.93% of the watershed). This study proposed an integrated spatial governance system comprising core conservation, transitional regulation, and collaborative development. Building upon this, we contended that mitigating land use function trade-off primarily requires differentiated management strategies, including optimizing land use structures (avoiding excessive expansion of construction land), controlling population density, and preventing excessive concentration of economic scale (GDP). This study provides methodological support for resolving the multi-scale ecological management decision and sustainable development dilemma.
{"title":"Optimal spatial scale selection for maximizing regional ecological management benefits","authors":"Jing Shi , Dawei Zhang , Hui Xu , Aokang Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.gr.2025.12.018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gr.2025.12.018","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The trade-off/synergy relationship among landscape elements exhibit pronounced spatial scale dependence and it profoundly affects the scientific rationality and practical effectiveness of regional ecological management decisions by altering the mechanisms of interactions among ecosystem services. While existing studies have made progress in characterizing multi-scale differences, there is still a lack of research on determining the optimal scale of management to maximize ecological benefits. Therefore, this study constructed a framework for analyzing scale effect resolution and optimal scale identification by integrating wavelet analysis, spatial autocorrelation and semi-variational functions. At the same time, by combining the XGBoost-SHAP model to interpret environmental factors exhibiting trade-off/synergy spatial heterogeneity, we proposed an optimal management scale optimization strategy based on comprehensive error minimization and took the interactive relationships among production, liveling, and ecological land use function (LUF) within the Heihe River Basin as the empirical subject. The research findings are as follows: 1) Spatial scale expansion strengthens the overall synergy between LUFs (by 0.07–0.24) but weakens the trade-off intensity within some grid cells; 2) The optimal ecological management scale in the study area was determined through semi-variogram optimal fitting to be 7 km, at which distance the trade-off/synergy fitting degree among all LUFs was optimal (with the highest <em>r</em><sup>2</sup> reaching 0.959); 3) Both natural and socio-economic factors influence the trade-off/synergy among land-use functions, and the trade-off areas are mainly located in the densely populated central oasis areas (accounting for up to 13.93% of the watershed). This study proposed an integrated spatial governance system comprising core conservation, transitional regulation, and collaborative development. Building upon this, we contended that mitigating land use function trade-off primarily requires differentiated management strategies, including optimizing land use structures (avoiding excessive expansion of construction land), controlling population density, and preventing excessive concentration of economic scale (GDP). This study provides methodological support for resolving the multi-scale ecological management decision and sustainable development dilemma.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12761,"journal":{"name":"Gondwana Research","volume":"154 ","pages":"Pages 103-121"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146071829","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.clay.2026.108124
Z. Abdollahi , H. Khezraqa , Y. Jafarzadeh , Ş.B. Tantekin-Ersolmaz
Hybrid ultrafiltration membranes were prepared by incorporating ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-modified bentonite nanoparticles into a poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix via a non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) process. The EDTA-bentonite filler was designed not only as a hydrophilic clay additive but also as an active chelating phase for dissolved Pb2+ ions. The structure and properties of the resulting mixed-matrix membranes were examined using FTIR, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FESEM, AFM, contact angle measurements, and mechanical testing. An intermediate filler loading produced a more hydrophilic and porous morphology with improved tensile strength, demonstrating that the modified clay can simultaneously tune both transport and mechanical behavior. Filtration experiments with Pb2+ solutions showed that the optimized membrane achieved high lead rejection (99%) and significant adsorption capacity, with equilibrium data well described by the Langmuir isotherm, consistent with monolayer chemisorption on EDTA sites. The mechanistic analysis indicates that Pb2+ removal is dominated by chelation and ion exchange on the EDTA-functionalized bentonite dispersed throughout the PVC matrix, rather than by size-exclusion alone. Because the membrane is fabricated from commodity PVC, naturally abundant bentonite, and a simple EDTA modification step, the proposed system offers a stable, scalable, and low-cost platform for heavy-metal removal from contaminated waters.
{"title":"Hybrid PVC/EDTA-Bentonite ultrafiltration membranes for efficient Pb (II) removal from wastewater","authors":"Z. Abdollahi , H. Khezraqa , Y. Jafarzadeh , Ş.B. Tantekin-Ersolmaz","doi":"10.1016/j.clay.2026.108124","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clay.2026.108124","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hybrid ultrafiltration membranes were prepared by incorporating ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-modified bentonite nanoparticles into a poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix via a non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) process. The EDTA-bentonite filler was designed not only as a hydrophilic clay additive but also as an active chelating phase for dissolved Pb<sup>2+</sup> ions. The structure and properties of the resulting mixed-matrix membranes were examined using FTIR, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FESEM, AFM, contact angle measurements, and mechanical testing. An intermediate filler loading produced a more hydrophilic and porous morphology with improved tensile strength, demonstrating that the modified clay can simultaneously tune both transport and mechanical behavior. Filtration experiments with Pb<sup>2+</sup> solutions showed that the optimized membrane achieved high lead rejection (99%) and significant adsorption capacity, with equilibrium data well described by the Langmuir isotherm, consistent with monolayer chemisorption on EDTA sites. The mechanistic analysis indicates that Pb<sup>2+</sup> removal is dominated by chelation and ion exchange on the EDTA-functionalized bentonite dispersed throughout the PVC matrix, rather than by size-exclusion alone. Because the membrane is fabricated from commodity PVC, naturally abundant bentonite, and a simple EDTA modification step, the proposed system offers a stable, scalable, and low-cost platform for heavy-metal removal from contaminated waters.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":245,"journal":{"name":"Applied Clay Science","volume":"285 ","pages":"Article 108124"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.clay.2026.108149
Perumal Murugesan , Gopika Meenakumari Gopakumar , Beena Saraswathyamma , Mohamed A. Habila , Ahmed Aljuwayid , Mani Govindasamy
A composite of bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) with halloysite nanotubes (Hly) deposited on glassy carbon electrodes (BiVO4/Hly@GCE) allows for the fast determination of theophylline using differential pulse voltammetry. Under optimized conditions in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), the method delivers a wide linear range of 0.2–933 μM with a limit of detection of 0.0023 μM (3σ/m) and a limit of quantification of 0.0077 μM (10σ/m). Precision is high, with intra-day RSD = 2.4% (n = 10, 50 μM) and inter-day RSD = 3.1% (n = 5 days), and electrode-to-electrode reproducibility shows RSD = 3.8% (n = 5). Electrodes show operational stability by retaining at least 92% of the initial response after 20 cycles. Analysis of common beverage constituents have shown this system is operationally selective as they did not produce a signal bias response. A linear regression analysis was used to obtain 95–104% recoveries as well as a low standard deviation for the coffee, milk tea, and green tea samples after dilution, which indicates the loss of a reagent due to the absence of an analysis procedure The straightforward composite fabrication and robust analytical performance support routine, cost-effective screening of theophylline in complex matrices.
{"title":"Architecting BiVO4 on halloysite nanotubes: A high-performance electrode for theophylline detection with elucidated oxidation pathway","authors":"Perumal Murugesan , Gopika Meenakumari Gopakumar , Beena Saraswathyamma , Mohamed A. Habila , Ahmed Aljuwayid , Mani Govindasamy","doi":"10.1016/j.clay.2026.108149","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.clay.2026.108149","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A composite of bismuth vanadate (BiVO<sub>4</sub>) with halloysite nanotubes (Hly) deposited on glassy carbon electrodes (BiVO<sub>4</sub>/Hly@GCE) allows for the fast determination of theophylline using differential pulse voltammetry. Under optimized conditions in 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), the method delivers a wide linear range of 0.2–933 μM with a limit of detection of 0.0023 μM (3σ/m) and a limit of quantification of 0.0077 μM (10σ/m). Precision is high, with intra-day RSD = 2.4% (<em>n</em> = 10, 50 μM) and inter-day RSD = 3.1% (<em>n</em> = 5 days), and electrode-to-electrode reproducibility shows RSD = 3.8% (n = 5). Electrodes show operational stability by retaining at least 92% of the initial response after 20 cycles. Analysis of common beverage constituents have shown this system is operationally selective as they did not produce a signal bias response. A linear regression analysis was used to obtain 95–104% recoveries as well as a low standard deviation for the coffee, milk tea, and green tea samples after dilution, which indicates the loss of a reagent due to the absence of an analysis procedure The straightforward composite fabrication and robust analytical performance support routine, cost-effective screening of theophylline in complex matrices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":245,"journal":{"name":"Applied Clay Science","volume":"285 ","pages":"Article 108149"},"PeriodicalIF":5.8,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146171361","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-01-13DOI: 10.1016/j.pce.2026.104304
Kanak N. Moharir , Chaitanya Baliram Pande , Abebe Debele Tolche , Abhay M. Varade , Saad Shauket Sammen , Mohammad Khalid , Krishna Kumar Yadav , Maha Awjan Alreshidi , Ghadah Shukri Albakri , Mohamed Elsahabi
In this paper, we have focused on the sustainable water and soil conservation important for the development of ecosystem planning. The assessment of soil erosion is important study for the basaltic rock area in India. Therefore, to delineation of groundwater potential zones (GPZ) mapping was done for the sustainable soil erosion conservation, and integrated planning with the help of the aquifer mapping, remote sensing (RS), analytical hierarchical process (AHP), and geographic information system (GIS). The data integration process methods are useful to identify soil erosion risk and delineating GPZ and soil erosion mapping. In this study, total seven layers such as slope, land use/land cover (LULC), soil, geology, geomorphology, drainage density and lineament density was used for suitable analysis of the GPZ mapping. These seven thematic layers were assigned weights using AHP and GIS methods in Arc GIS 10.5 software with multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) techniques. The integration of seven layers provides valuable insights into managing and sustaining groundwater resources. We have identified the five classes such as very low, low, medium, high, and very high in GPZ map. The results are found the conservation area is 83 % and other area under 17 % in the study area. The aquifer mapping results help to understanding the groundwater resources in the basaltic rock. The current research outcomes are develop the groundwater potential zones map and soil conservation plans based on thematic layers, GIS system and methods. This paper results helpful to future mitigating of water risks, preventing soil erosion, addressing water scarcity, managing climate risks, and improving drought conditions. These results of study area will support to planning and management of groundwater and natural resources, which can helpful to local government administrators, researchers, and planners for making policy in the improvement of groundwater resources.
{"title":"Development of groundwater potential zones and soil erosion mapping with planning based on aquifer modeling, AHP and geospatial techniques","authors":"Kanak N. Moharir , Chaitanya Baliram Pande , Abebe Debele Tolche , Abhay M. Varade , Saad Shauket Sammen , Mohammad Khalid , Krishna Kumar Yadav , Maha Awjan Alreshidi , Ghadah Shukri Albakri , Mohamed Elsahabi","doi":"10.1016/j.pce.2026.104304","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pce.2026.104304","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In this paper, we have focused on the sustainable water and soil conservation important for the development of ecosystem planning. The assessment of soil erosion is important study for the basaltic rock area in India. Therefore, to delineation of groundwater potential zones (GPZ) mapping was done for the sustainable soil erosion conservation, and integrated planning with the help of the aquifer mapping, remote sensing (RS), analytical hierarchical process (AHP), and geographic information system (GIS). The data integration process methods are useful to identify soil erosion risk and delineating GPZ and soil erosion mapping. In this study, total seven layers such as slope, land use/land cover (LULC), soil, geology, geomorphology, drainage density and lineament density was used for suitable analysis of the GPZ mapping. These seven thematic layers were assigned weights using AHP and GIS methods in Arc GIS 10.5 software with multiple-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) techniques. The integration of seven layers provides valuable insights into managing and sustaining groundwater resources. We have identified the five classes such as very low, low, medium, high, and very high in GPZ map. The results are found the conservation area is 83 % and other area under 17 % in the study area. The aquifer mapping results help to understanding the groundwater resources in the basaltic rock. The current research outcomes are develop the groundwater potential zones map and soil conservation plans based on thematic layers, GIS system and methods. This paper results helpful to future mitigating of water risks, preventing soil erosion, addressing water scarcity, managing climate risks, and improving drought conditions. These results of study area will support to planning and management of groundwater and natural resources, which can helpful to local government administrators, researchers, and planners for making policy in the improvement of groundwater resources.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54616,"journal":{"name":"Physics and Chemistry of the Earth","volume":"143 ","pages":"Article 104304"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146081258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.gr.2025.12.019
Priyansha Gupta , Mahua Saha , Chayanika Rathore , V. Suneel , Jacob de Boer , Anita Garg
How significant is the role of microplastics (MPs) in transporting toxic chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine ecosystems, particularly along India’s vulnerable coastlines? Despite growing recognition of MPs as persistent pollutants and effective sorbents for hydrophobic compounds, limited evidence exists on their contaminant-loading potential in the Eastern Arabian Sea (EAS), a region subjected to intense anthropogenic stressors. This study quantifies PAHs associated with both pellets and fragments from 14 beaches in Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka along the EAS using column chromatography followed by Gas-chromatography mass spectroscopy techniques. The concentrations of ∑16PAHs in pellets were 1.9–29,500 ng/g (Goa), 0.6–22,900 ng/g (Mumbai), and 0.8–21,400 ng/g (Karnataka). For the fragments the ∑16PAHs ranged from 2 to 2,100 ng/g (Karnataka), followed by 1–1,500 ng/g (Goa) to 12–230 (Mumbai). 4–6 ring-PAHs dominated and the diagnostic ratios indicated combination of processes such as pyrolytic, petroleum spills, and combustion activities. The study also investigated which type of MPs, pellets or fragments, exhibited higher PAH concentrations, and explored the factors responsible. Pellets consistently exhibited higher PAH loads, likely due to their smaller size, greater surface area, and prolonged environmental exposure. The ecological risk associated with PAH-contaminated MPs showed that ∑PAH was higher than TEL (Threshold effect level) and ERL (Effects range low), indicating a probable occasional biological impact. On the other hand, lower ∑PAH level than PEL (Probable effect level) and ERM (Effects ranged median) suggest no significant adverse effects on marine or human ecosystems at the evaluated locations. By highlighting the ecological risks of PAH-contaminated MPs and their role as pollutant vectors, this study raises urgent questions: how far can these invisible threats disperse, and what are their long-term implications for coastal ecosystems and public health?
{"title":"Microplastics and PAH contamination in the Eastern Arabian Sea: A synergistic environmental hazard","authors":"Priyansha Gupta , Mahua Saha , Chayanika Rathore , V. Suneel , Jacob de Boer , Anita Garg","doi":"10.1016/j.gr.2025.12.019","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gr.2025.12.019","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>How significant is the role of microplastics (MPs) in transporting toxic chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine ecosystems, particularly along India’s vulnerable coastlines? Despite growing recognition of MPs as persistent pollutants and effective sorbents for hydrophobic compounds, limited evidence exists on their contaminant-loading potential in the Eastern Arabian Sea (EAS), a region subjected to intense anthropogenic stressors. This study quantifies PAHs associated with both pellets and fragments from 14 beaches in Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka along the EAS using column chromatography followed by Gas-chromatography mass spectroscopy techniques. The concentrations of ∑16PAHs in pellets were 1.9–29,500 ng/g (Goa), 0.6–22,900 ng/g (Mumbai), and 0.8–21,400 ng/g (Karnataka). For the fragments the ∑16PAHs ranged from 2 to 2,100 ng/g (Karnataka), followed by 1–1,500 ng/g (Goa) to 12–230 (Mumbai). 4–6 ring-PAHs dominated and the diagnostic ratios indicated combination of processes such as pyrolytic, petroleum spills, and combustion activities. The study also investigated which type of MPs, pellets or fragments, exhibited higher PAH concentrations, and explored the factors responsible. Pellets consistently exhibited higher PAH loads, likely due to their smaller size, greater surface area, and prolonged environmental exposure. The ecological risk associated with PAH-contaminated MPs showed that ∑PAH was higher than TEL (Threshold effect level) and ERL (Effects range low), indicating a probable occasional biological impact. On the other hand, lower ∑PAH level than PEL (Probable effect level) and ERM (Effects ranged median) suggest no significant adverse effects on marine or human ecosystems at the evaluated locations. By highlighting the ecological risks of PAH-contaminated MPs and their role as pollutant vectors, this study raises urgent questions: how far can these invisible threats disperse, and what are their long-term implications for coastal ecosystems and public health?</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12761,"journal":{"name":"Gondwana Research","volume":"154 ","pages":"Pages 173-187"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146033608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.gr.2025.12.016
Xiao-Fei Qiu , Da Wang , Xi-Run Tong , Shi-Wen Xie , Nian-Wen Wu , Fei Liu , Yu-Sheng Wan
The oldest rocks provide direct constraints on the nature of the first crust on Earth and the earliest magmatic process, which is significant for understanding the physical and chemical properties of our planet’s early stage. On the modern Earth, Hadean to Eoarchean crustal rocks have been identified in less than ten areas worldwide. Due to relatively poor preservation of early Archean rocks, major controversies exist on the tectonic mechanisms responsible for the formation of the continent during the early Earth. Therefore, identification of new Eoarchean or even Hadean crustal exposures would provide key information for understanding the formation and evolution of early continental crust and its geodynamic driver in the early Earth. Here, we report the new identification of Eoarchean trondhjemitic gneisses in the Muzidian Gneiss Complex (MGC) in the northern margin of Yangtze Craton. Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb ages of 3855 ± 7 Ma and 3851 ± 6 Ma suggest this trondhjemite unit in the MGC is the oldest known igneous rock in Eurasia. Zircon Hf isotopic compositions indicate that the MGC gneisses were formed from reworking of pre-existing Hadean crust older than 4.1 Ga. These newly recognized rocks in the MGC mark an important, Hadean crust derived, ancient gneiss complex, which is isotopically comparable to the Acasta Gneiss Complex in the currently established global Eoarchean geological record. Our findings indicate that at least some of the earliest crustal rocks might have originated from an early-differentiated, incompatible element-enriched protocrust in the Hadean.
{"title":"The oldest rock in the Eurasian continent was reworked from Hadean protocrust","authors":"Xiao-Fei Qiu , Da Wang , Xi-Run Tong , Shi-Wen Xie , Nian-Wen Wu , Fei Liu , Yu-Sheng Wan","doi":"10.1016/j.gr.2025.12.016","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gr.2025.12.016","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The oldest rocks provide direct constraints on the nature of the first crust on Earth and the earliest magmatic process, which is significant for understanding the physical and chemical properties of our planet’s early stage. On the modern Earth, Hadean to Eoarchean crustal rocks have been identified in less than ten areas worldwide. Due to relatively poor preservation of early Archean rocks, major controversies exist on the tectonic mechanisms responsible for the formation of the continent during the early Earth. Therefore, identification of new Eoarchean or even Hadean crustal exposures would provide key information for understanding the formation and evolution of early continental crust and its geodynamic driver in the early Earth. Here, we report the new identification of Eoarchean trondhjemitic gneisses in the Muzidian Gneiss Complex (MGC) in the northern margin of Yangtze Craton. Zircon SHRIMP U-Pb ages of 3855 ± 7 Ma and 3851 ± 6 Ma suggest this trondhjemite unit in the MGC is the oldest known igneous rock in Eurasia. Zircon Hf isotopic compositions indicate that the MGC gneisses were formed from reworking of pre-existing Hadean crust older than 4.1 Ga. These newly recognized rocks in the MGC mark an important, Hadean crust derived, ancient gneiss complex, which is isotopically comparable to the Acasta Gneiss Complex in the currently established global Eoarchean geological record. Our findings indicate that at least some of the earliest crustal rocks might have originated from an early-differentiated, incompatible element-enriched protocrust in the Hadean.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":12761,"journal":{"name":"Gondwana Research","volume":"154 ","pages":"Pages 35-43"},"PeriodicalIF":7.2,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146033933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-01-27DOI: 10.1016/j.pce.2026.104319
Tarekegn Dejen Mengistu , Il-Moon Chung , Sun Woo Chang
Effective water quality monitoring requires predictive models that combine high accuracy, interpretability, and credible uncertainty quantification. Machine learning (ML) techniques have emerged as powerful tools for predicting water quality and quantifying associated uncertainties. Similarly, Bayesian deep learning (BDL) frameworks enable probabilistic predictions that quantify uncertainties. These approaches can capture nonlinear interactions and provide robust predictions in diverse environmental conditions. This study integrated ensemble ML and BDL to assess the complex relationships between physicochemical parameters and the Water Quality Index (WQI). Six supervised ensemble ML algorithms, namely Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Extra Trees (ERT), XGBoost, CatBoost, and LightGBM were evaluated using Bayesian optimisation to identify the optimal hyperparameter configurations. DT achieved the highest predictive accuracy with MAE = 0.657 and 0.428, RMSE = 1.181 and 0.747, MAPE = 10.561 and 7.155, R2 = 0.960 and 0.987, and nRMSE = 0.065 and 0.042 for the training and test sets, respectively. The DT outperformed more complex ensemble models, and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP)-based eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) identified the most influential predictors, aligning model predictions with underlying hydrochemical processes. To capture predictive uncertainty, a probabilistic BDL was developed yielding probabilistic outputs and explicit epistemic uncertainty estimates. ROC analysis confirmed strong performance across WQI classes, with AUC scores of up to 0.90 for WQI classes. The probabilistic approach provides actionable insights for adaptive water quality management, enabling targeted monitoring in areas of high uncertainty and supporting transparent, evidence-based decision-making. These results underscore the value of integrating ML, and Bayesian optimisation to advance robust and adaptive water quality assessment. The proposed workflow provides a scalable framework to enhance monitoring, optimize resources, and advance sustainable water management aligned with the SDGs.
{"title":"Machine learning for water quality prediction and uncertainty assessment","authors":"Tarekegn Dejen Mengistu , Il-Moon Chung , Sun Woo Chang","doi":"10.1016/j.pce.2026.104319","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pce.2026.104319","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Effective water quality monitoring requires predictive models that combine high accuracy, interpretability, and credible uncertainty quantification. Machine learning (ML) techniques have emerged as powerful tools for predicting water quality and quantifying associated uncertainties. Similarly, Bayesian deep learning (BDL) frameworks enable probabilistic predictions that quantify uncertainties. These approaches can capture nonlinear interactions and provide robust predictions in diverse environmental conditions. This study integrated ensemble ML and BDL to assess the complex relationships between physicochemical parameters and the Water Quality Index (WQI). Six supervised ensemble ML algorithms, namely Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Extra Trees (ERT), XGBoost, CatBoost, and LightGBM were evaluated using Bayesian optimisation to identify the optimal hyperparameter configurations. DT achieved the highest predictive accuracy with MAE = 0.657 and 0.428, RMSE = 1.181 and 0.747, MAPE = 10.561 and 7.155, R<sup>2</sup> = 0.960 and 0.987, and nRMSE = 0.065 and 0.042 for the training and test sets, respectively. The DT outperformed more complex ensemble models, and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP)-based eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) identified the most influential predictors, aligning model predictions with underlying hydrochemical processes. To capture predictive uncertainty, a probabilistic BDL was developed yielding probabilistic outputs and explicit epistemic uncertainty estimates. ROC analysis confirmed strong performance across WQI classes, with AUC scores of up to 0.90 for WQI classes. The probabilistic approach provides actionable insights for adaptive water quality management, enabling targeted monitoring in areas of high uncertainty and supporting transparent, evidence-based decision-making. These results underscore the value of integrating ML, and Bayesian optimisation to advance robust and adaptive water quality assessment. The proposed workflow provides a scalable framework to enhance monitoring, optimize resources, and advance sustainable water management aligned with the SDGs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54616,"journal":{"name":"Physics and Chemistry of the Earth","volume":"143 ","pages":"Article 104319"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146174205","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-06-01Epub Date: 2026-01-24DOI: 10.1016/j.pce.2026.104317
Bijay Halder , Biswarup Rana , Liew Juneng , Malay Pramanik , Chaitanya Baliram Pande , Samyah Salem Refadah , Mohd Yawar Ali Khan , Shafik S. Shafik , Zaher Mundher Yaseen
Climate change affects urbanisation in several distinct ways. Beyond the evident temperature fluctuations, it triggers urbanisation impacts by causing natural disasters, changing energy structure, and the geographical distribution of precipitation. The effect of surface urban heat islands (SUHI) has become increasingly noticeable in Thailand. Therefore, this study used Landsat datasets and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud-based platform to examine land use change, geospatial indices, heat-island effects, and temperature fluctuations from 2015 to 2023. The LULC change (LULCC) recorded vegetation decreased by −40.40 km2, agricultural land by −48.73 km2, water bodies by −6.90 km2, and the built-up land increased by 75.28 km2 from 2015 to 2023. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) area and its adjacent regions are identified most urbanized regions. The land surface temperature (LST) rose from 39.24 °C (2015) to 40.12 °C (2023), and similarly, SUHI increased by 0.166 to 1.223. Major cities (e.g., Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Hat Yai) recorded the most significant reductions in the vegetation index (0.03) and development in the built-up index (0.04). The analysis is valuable for working adaptation strategies that measure risk associated with present climate change effects, which are impacted by hydrometeorological variables such as precipitation, temperature, humidity, and evaporation.
{"title":"Urbanization-climate change Interactions and their effects on surface heat island in tropical monsoon environments","authors":"Bijay Halder , Biswarup Rana , Liew Juneng , Malay Pramanik , Chaitanya Baliram Pande , Samyah Salem Refadah , Mohd Yawar Ali Khan , Shafik S. Shafik , Zaher Mundher Yaseen","doi":"10.1016/j.pce.2026.104317","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.pce.2026.104317","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Climate change affects urbanisation in several distinct ways. Beyond the evident temperature fluctuations, it triggers urbanisation impacts by causing natural disasters, changing energy structure, and the geographical distribution of precipitation. The effect of surface urban heat islands (SUHI) has become increasingly noticeable in Thailand. Therefore, this study used Landsat datasets and the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud-based platform to examine land use change, geospatial indices, heat-island effects, and temperature fluctuations from 2015 to 2023. The LULC change (LULCC) recorded vegetation decreased by −40.40 km<sup>2</sup>, agricultural land by −48.73 km<sup>2</sup>, water bodies by −6.90 km<sup>2</sup>, and the built-up land increased by 75.28 km<sup>2</sup> from 2015 to 2023. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) area and its adjacent regions are identified most urbanized regions. The land surface temperature (LST) rose from 39.24 °C (2015) to 40.12 °C (2023), and similarly, SUHI increased by 0.166 to 1.223. Major cities (e.g., Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Hat Yai) recorded the most significant reductions in the vegetation index (0.03) and development in the built-up index (0.04). The analysis is valuable for working adaptation strategies that measure risk associated with present climate change effects, which are impacted by hydrometeorological variables such as precipitation, temperature, humidity, and evaporation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54616,"journal":{"name":"Physics and Chemistry of the Earth","volume":"143 ","pages":"Article 104317"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146174698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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