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Phytoremediation is a viable approach in order to mitigate toxic soil levels and, therefore, the associated impacts of HMs. This approach requires the assessment of contaminated sites and the selection of reportedly efficient phytoremediators, which might contribute to facilitating the practical implementation of phytoremediation in polluted soils. In a twelve-month microcosm experiment, Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) and rapeseed (Brassica napus) plants were planted over the winter season. Subsequently, maize (Zea maize) was planted after the harvest of these plants. Oil crop rotation systems might promote tested HM removal (Cu, Cd, Fe, Ni, Mn, Zn, and Pb) from the Mahd AD’Dahab mine-contaminated soil and provide higher biomass than single crops. The results indicated that both the rapeseed maize and Indian mustard maize rotation showed the highest phytoextraction efficiency compared to a single crop. The extraction of Zn, Pb, Ni, Mn, Fe, Cu, and Cd are 18, 27, 29, 24, 23, 24, and 28%, respectively, for Indian mustardmaize rotation, although 17, 27, 31, 24, 21, 23, and 26% respectively for rapeseed-maize rotation. The short rotation strategy could be helpful in landscaped and controlled access to the polluted sites. The utilization of short-rotation phytoremediation has the potential to emerge as a financially viable approach for the management of polluted areas. This method involves enhancing biomass yield through the implementation of phytomanagement techniques such as fertilization, irrigation, and coppicing, thereby capitalizing on the benefits associated with both biomass production and landscape management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate radiation risks and the exposure to human and marine life, samples of marine sediments were taken along Mediterranean Sea Coastline and Lake Burullus, Egypt. The current study sought to evaluate the levels of 226Ra, 238U, 232Th and 40K radioactive elements in surface sediments as well as their ecological concerns and potential sources using remote sensing and GIS. The multivariate statistical analyses were done to assume the inter-relationships between the radiological indexes and concentrations. The activity of radionuclides concentrations in sediments for 226Ra, 238U, 232Th and 40K were 13.81, 9.08, 15.28 and 155.48 Bq/kg, and 7.29, 5.84, 8.2 and 136.98 Bq/Kg for Lake Burullus and Sea, respectively. It is obvious that radionuclides concentrations are more in the lake than those of the sea, due to the nature of geological and tectonic structures of the lake. The activity concentration of 226Ra didn't exceed the world averages recorded by UNSCEAR but 40K value exceeded this limit twice. The higher levels of 226Ra were due to anthropogenic activities, Soil type and geological components which may influence the concentrations of the radionuclides. The multivariate analyses showed different trends to site 3 than other sites and different trend to 40K than other radionuclides. Partial least squares regression (PLS) analysis indicated decrease in the elements in the area of Lake Burullus and increase in the coastline of Mediterranean Sea. With the exception of 40k, all results indicated that radioactive pollution is safe and may not pose threat to human or the environment. Nevertheless, it is advised to apply cost–benefit analysis to maximize radiation protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the Dudhganga watershed is the primary water and food resource of the Kashmir Valley, it has undergone significant changes in food resources and strategies due to rampant urbanization in the area over the past 20 years. This urbanization has had a profound impact on the watershed and has also affected land use and land cover (LULC) patterns and environmental changes. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of urban development on food security parameters in the Dudhganga watershed area, India, from 2000 to 2020, by evaluating LULC changes. Additionally, the study aims to examine the relationship between climate changes and LULC indices, such as the Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI). The results indicate a 21.66% increase in barren areas, at the expense of snow-covered lands, during the 2000-2020 period. The primary land cover transition observed is towards barren areas. The predictions for LULC in 2030 highlight the need for careful management of land use and climate changes in the study area. This study can assist local government officials in reassessing food strategies by identifying areas where urban expansion should be controlled and climate impacts minimized, to prevent local hunger and ecological degradation. Therefore, the development of systematic urban planning approaches and mitigation of climate change sources are crucial. Furthermore, the adoption of advanced agricultural technology should be considered to mitigate the impact of urban expansion., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)