https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/ Pollution en daily 1 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0330 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0330 https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105134.html Cement production is a leading source of global CO₂ emissions, while vast quantities of glass waste remain underutilized and are often sent to landfills. This study investigates the environmental potential of using finely ground waste glass powder (GP) as a partial pozzolanic substitute for cement in concrete. A cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted to compare conventional concrete with GP-enhanced concrete, using SimaPro 9.2 and Ecoinvent 3.2, and applying the IMPACT 2002+ method. Four scenarios were modeled to assess the effects of key variables, including extended service life, transportation distances, and emissions from the glass grinding process. To evaluate result robustness, Monte Carlo simulations (10,000 runs) and sensitivity analyses were performed. The results show that GP concrete consistently outperforms conventional concrete across all impact categories. The most notable reduction was a 25.7% decrease in CO₂-equivalent emissions, alongside significant reductions in human health (21.3%), resource use (16.6%), and ecosystem quality (15.4%) impacts. Scenario 1, incorporating a 20% longer concrete lifespan, achieved the lowest overall environmental burden without introducing trade-offs. Contribution analysis identified clinker production as the primary environmental hotspot, particularly for global warming, respiratory inorganics, and non-renewable energy use. These findings highlight the dual benefit of GP concrete in reducing emissions and diverting waste, offering a viable strategy for sustainable construction, especially in regions with local glass waste availability and supportive processing infrastructure. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105135.html The sugar industry generates wastewater with high organic content, presenting serious environmental concerns. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer an eco-friendly solution by simultaneously treating this effluent and producing electricity. This study evaluated MFC performance through batch experiments, optimizing operational parameters such as pH, salt bridge concentration, and electrode material. Treatment efficiency was assessed using Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) measurements. Maximum BOD and COD removal efficiencies of 89.73% and 90.03%, respectively, were recorded at pH 6. The highest current output was observed at a salt bridge concentration of 1M KCl. Among the electrode materials tested—Aluminium, Copper, Iron, and Carbon—the Carbon–Carbon (C–C) pair produced the highest voltage output of 2.398 V. This research adhered to standard laboratory practices and ensured that no hazardous or pathogenic waste was released during experimentation. The findings reinforce the potential of MFCs as a sustainable technology for effective sugar industry wastewater treatment and renewable energy generation, with attention to environmental and ethical research practices. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105136.html Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) plays a crucial role in integrating environmental considerations into national planning and decision-making. However, its successful implementation requires a robust legal, institutional, and financial framework tailored to national conditions. This study investigates the challenges and opportunities of implementing SEA in Iran, emphasizing its potential role in pollution management and sustainable development. Using a qualitative research approach based on Grounded Theory, in total, 12 individuals participated in the study, representing a cross-section of stakeholders from both policy-making and implementation sectors. The findings reveal that SEA’s effectiveness in Iran is hindered by political interference, weak institutional capacity, absence of standardized technical guidelines, deficiencies in legal and executive structures, lack of sustainable financial resources, poor environmental data quality, and inefficient decision-making processes. To address these challenges, eight strategic recommendations are proposed: (1) strengthening legal and executive frameworks, (2) enhancing specialized and organizational capacity, (3) ensuring sustainable financial resources, (4) increasing public participation and awareness, (5) improving environmental data management, (6) continuously updating EIA and SEA methodologies, (7) streamlining execution processes, and (8) establishing technical standards. Implementing these strategies will enhance SEA efficiency, reduce bureaucratic delays, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and improve transparency in decision-making. Furthermore, an improved SEA framework will contribute to reducing air, water, and soil pollution by ensuring proactive environmental risk assessments and integrating sustainability into development policies. This study highlights the urgent need for strategic, multi-faceted reforms to strengthen SEA governance in Iran and ensure its alignment with global environmental standards and pollution management efforts. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105137.html Microplastic pollution in water sources poses a serious threat to human health and natural ecosystems. This research examines the efficiency of the proton-induced gamma emission (PIGE) method combined with bidirectional long short-term memory (Bi-LSTM) neural networks and MCNPX numerical simulations for the accurate detection of microplastics. Utilizing MCNPX simulations, the optimal proton energy (3 to 7 MeV) and predicted gamma spectra for environmental samples were determined. Results showed that the PIGE method is most effective at energies of 3 to 7 MeV for high concentrations and at higher energies for concentrations below 1%. The Bi-LSTM model, a subset of artificial neural networks with bidirectional architecture, was configured with a learning rate of 0.001 and trained over 100 epochs (with a batch size of 32). To prevent overfitting, Dropout and Batch Normalization layers were used, while Early Stopping and (ReduceLROnPlateau) mechanisms optimized the training process by monitoring the validation loss and dynamically adjusting the learning rate. This hybrid system achieved an accuracy of 95%, sensitivity of 93%, and an F1 score of 94%, indicating significant improvement over conventional methods. This approach offers a reliable solution for tracking microplastics and, due to its applicability in complex environments like oceans and groundwater, has the potential to become a global standard such as ISO. In the future, it can be integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) for real-time monitoring and better environmental protection. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105138.html Air pollution is a critical challenge in urban centers like Tehran, where over 8 million residents are exposed to pollutants from transportation, industry, and energy use. To address this, researchers combine satellite observations (e.g., Sentinel-5P) with AI models to monitor and predict concentrations of pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, O3 and NO2. By integrating remote sensing data with ground measurements, machine learning methods—including neural networks, decision trees, and regression models—establish links between meteorological conditions and pollution levels. This hybrid approach overcomes the limitations of traditional monitoring systems while benefiting from tools like Google Earth Engine for efficient analysis of Tehran’s air quality (2019–2024). The resulting forecasts provide policymakers with actionable insights for pollution control, urban planning, and public health strategies. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105140.html Buildings serve as essential shelters, providing safety and comfort for people. factors such as conflicts, natural disasters, urbanization, and economic instability contribute to homelessness. Additionally, Temporary buildings, with their rapid construction, sustainability, modularity, and portability, used in remote area, cost-effectiveness, play a critical role in addressing this situation. Temporary buildings include shipping containers, prefabricated building, container house or building, Industrial Building, and Lightweight Steel Frames. Building sector consume a significant share of global energy for construction and operation so making energy-efficient building performance a critical focus in energy policies. Consequently, the United States Department of Energy and the European Union have introduced the concept of nearly-Zero Energy Buildings (nZEBs). This literature review provides a comprehensive technical insight into the parameters of nZEBs, specifically focusing on temporary buildings. Accordingly, climate considerations, envelope, ventilation as a part of HVAC, and lighting are introduced to reduce energy requirements. Research was analyzed reveals that in climates, optimizing the building envelope with technologies like Thermal Insulation Layers (TILs) and Phase Change Materials (PCMs) as essential strategies for enhancing energy efficiency and most of them used EnergyPlus or DesignBuilder software. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105141.html The present study investigates the relationship between water quality parameters and microalgae diversity in a brackish lake ecosystem. Water samples were collected across four seasons, from October 2022 to July 2023, from the surface of six sites distributed throughout the seven northern lakes of Benghazi. Water quality parameters—including electrical conductivity, pH, temperature, alkalinity, and nutrient concentrations—were analyzed. Microalgae were identified, counted, and their abundance estimated using the Utermöhl method. Microalgae diversity was assessed using Shannon, Simpson, species richness, and evenness indices. A total of 33 species belonging to 27 genera and five divisions were recorded. The most diverse group was Chlorophyta (49%), followed by Cyanophyta (21%), Bacillariophyta (12%), Euglenophyta (9%), and Dinophyta (9%). The highest species diversity, according to the Shannon–Weaver index, was observed in winter, while the lowest occurred in summer. The Simpson index was highest in autumn and lowest in summer. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) extracted two components from 14 environmental variables after Varimax rotation, explaining 46.47% of the total variance. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) identified two factors—F1 (41.35%) and F2 (17.77%)—which together accounted for 59.11% of the total data variance, with eigenvalues of 0.48 and 0.44, respectively. These results illustrate the relationship between microalgae species and environmental variables. Overall, the findings provide a foundation for developing sustainable conservation strategies to preserve the biodiversity of brackish lakes. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105142.html This study assessed the concentrations, distribution, sources and ecological risks of heavy metals in agricultural soils near industrial zones in Gazipur, Bangladesh. Thirty soil samples were collected in mid-January 2024 and analyzed for six heavy metals (Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, and Pb) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Average concentrations (mg/kg) were: Cr (7.47±1.93), Pb (6.88±2.30), Cd (1.95±0.60), Cu (11.64±2.61), As (2.55±0.85) and Ni (17.87±5.08). All metals, except Cd, were below the permissible limits set by Dutch, Canadian, and Australian soil quality guidelines. Multivariate statistical analyses suggested mixed lithogenic and anthropogenic origins of heavy metals, with industrial activities being the dominant source. Contamination factors (CF), contamination degree (CD) geo-accumulation index (Igeo), enrichment factors (EF) and pollution load index (PLI) analysis indicated safe levels for most metals, but Cd posed significant contamination and ecological concern. The potential ecological risk index (PER) showed low to moderate risk, though some sampling sites exhibited high risk due to Cd. These findings provide critical insight for policymakers to mitigate soil contamination and protect environmental and human health.  https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_104653.html The aims of this study were to determine the concentration levels of nitrates in different types of vegetables, as well as the probabilistic non-carcinogenic risk assessment of nitrate in vegetables. Vegetables were classified into three groups included leafy (lettuce and cabbage), tuberous (potato and onion), and bush (tomato and cucumber) products. Three samples of each 20 vegetable types were obtained from agricultural lands and the nitrate levels were measured using a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) system (KNAUER) equipped with a UV detector (UV-Detector-K2500). The mean nitrate concentration levels in leafy, bush and tuberous vegetables were 685.87±52.87, 153.48±20.15 and 63.58±27.32 mg/kg, respectively. The mean of hazard quotient (HQ) in adults and children in region 1 were 0.028 and 0.096; for region 2 were as 0.027 and 0.096; and for region 3 were 0.028 and 0.090, respectively (Figure 1-3). The HQ values due to nitrate for adults and children in three regions were ˂1, hence consumers are in acceptable health risk. While nitrates in vegetables were within acceptable health risk range, ongoing monitoring and management of nitrate levels are necessary to mitigate potential health hazards. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105139.html This research provides an in-depth evaluation of biomass resources both in Iran and globally, emphasizing rural areas and the potential conversion of municipal solid waste and livestock manure into energy. It examines the current landscape of biomass energy production and its role as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. In Iran, considerable biomass is available through agricultural residues, animal waste, and municipal solid waste (MSW), although these resources remain largely underexploited. Conversely, evidence from South-East Asian nations (SEAN) reveals a more advanced utilization of biomass, presenting a clear opportunity for Iran to improve its approach. The study highlights that challenges related to regulation, technology, and market acceptance are key obstacles preventing the broader adoption of biomass energy in Iran. Moreover, recent progress, such as the launch of large-scale biomass facilities, indicates that a concerted shift toward renewable energy could bolster energy security, lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and drive socio-economic development. The results advocate for further research into more efficient biomass conversion technologies and the formulation of tailored, region-specific policies to unlock the full potential of biomass energy in Iran and similar regions. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105143.html Urban air pollution caused by light-duty passenger vehicles poses critical environmental and public health challenges in megacities like Tehran. In this study, we dynamically estimated vehicular emissions by collecting second-by-second speed and acceleration data from 16 representative routes, including 2 residential, 8 urban, and 6 highway segments, across metropolitan Tehran. We integrated the Vehicle Specific Power (VSP) method with the International Vehicle Emissions (IVE) model to assess real-time emission patterns across four time intervals (08:00, 12:00, 16:00, and 23:00). Our measurements showed that average speeds ranged from 14.0 to 25.97 km/h in residential areas, 10.62 to 42.13 km/h in urban corridors, and 16.43 to 67.15 km/h on highways. We found that VSP values predominantly fell within bins 8–14, reflecting acceleration-intensive and stop-and-go traffic during peak hours. We estimated emissions per kilometer as follows: CO (0.47–0.57 g), NOₓ (0.11–0.23 g), CO₂ (240.7–411.5 g), VOC (0.13–0.19 g), and NMVOC (0.12–0.18 g). During peak hours, emissions increased by 40–50% compared to off-peak periods, correlating with VSP clustering around bins 8–10, while smoother traffic conditions (VSP ≥12) during off-peak hours reduced emissions. This study is among the first in the region to combine second-by-second VSP profiles with the IVE model to produce high-resolution, time-resolved urban emission estimates. Our findings highlight how dynamic traffic modeling can help policymakers design smart traffic signal systems, manage congestion, and improve air quality policies tailored to real-time conditions in megacities.  https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105144.html This study reports the fabrication and performance evaluation of electrospun nanofiber membranes made from recycled acrylic (polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)) for use in air gap membrane distillation (AGMD) systems targeting high-salinity brine desalination. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) confirmed that the membranes possessed a uniform, highly porous nanofibrous structure with interconnected pores conducive to vapor transport. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) revealed a rough surface morphology, while water contact angle measurements exceeding 121° indicated excellent hydrophobicity, critical for effective liquid, vapor separation. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) verified the preservation of key ester functional groups, confirming the chemical integrity of the recycled acrylic. Performance testing was conducted under various feed temperatures (45–65 °C), flow rates (0.2–0.4 L/min), NaCl concentrations (35–140 g/L), and air gap distances (6–9 mm). The membranes achieved a maximum flux of 9.2 kg/m²·h at 65 °C and 0.4 L/min. As expected, higher salt concentrations reduced flux due to lower vapor pressure and increased concentration polarization. Despite variations in operating conditions, salt rejection consistently exceeded 99.994%, demonstrating excellent selectivity and operational stability. These results highlight the potential of recycled acrylic-based nanofiber membranes as a sustainable and high-performance solution for brine desalination using AGMD. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105145.html Petroleum refineries generate significant industrial waste, posing environmental risks that necessitate effective management strategies to ensure compliance with international standards, such as the Basel Convention and RCRA. This study aimed to develop an integrated waste management system for Parsian Gas Refinery by identifying, classifying, and proposing minimization strategies for industrial waste. Implementing targeted waste management practices will reduce environmental impact and enhance compliance with global standards. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using questionnaires, site visits, and document reviews to categorize process and non-process waste. Quantitative and qualitative studies, alongside a semi-quantitative risk assessment, were employed. The refinery produces approximately 804.25 tons of industrial waste annually, with 23.63% classified as hazardous, 68.80% recyclable, and 45.44% suitable for landfilling. Current practices revealed deficiencies in storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous materials. An integrated waste management system is proposed, emphasizing recycling, high-temperature incineration for dangerous waste, and engineered landfilling to minimize environmental impact and costs. Long-term monitoring is recommended to evaluate the system's effectiveness and scalability. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105146.html Heavy metal pollution in coastal areas is a serious environmental issue driven by intensive anthropogenic activities. This study aims to assess the potential heavy metal contamination in coastal sediments of Kendari Bay, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, using magnetic susceptibility and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) approaches. A total of 20 sediment samples were collected from three different zones based on anthropogenic activities: port, roadside, and residential areas. Magnetic susceptibility (χlf) was measured using a Bartington MS2 meter with an MS2D sensor, while concentrations of heavy metals (Fe, Co, Cu, Zn) were analyzed using XRF. The χlf values ranged from 4 × 10⁻⁵ to 1265 × 10⁻⁵ SI, with the highest values observed in the port zone. Iron (Fe) concentrations ranged from 25020 to 57490 mg/kg, cobalt (Co) from 150 to 280 mg/kg, copper (Cu) from 10 to 20 mg/kg, and zinc (Zn) from 40 to 800 mg/kg. A weak positive correlation was found between χlf and Fe (r ≈ 0.21), while weak to moderate negative correlations were observed with Co, Cu, and Zn (r ranging from –0.15 to –0.38). These findings indicate that some heavy metals are deposited alongside magnetic minerals derived from industrial and transportation activities. Magnetic susceptibility is proven to be a rapid, non-destructive, and cost-effective method, making it highly suitable as a preliminary screening tool for monitoring sediment pollution in coastal environments. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105147.html Increased anthropogenic activity in coastal areas has led to a significant decline in marine ecosystem quality, particularly due to the influx of nutrient-rich waste that triggers eutrophication. This study highlights a case of extreme pollution in Bima Bay, West Nusa Tenggara, marked by the appearance of massive brown sea foam in April 2022, covering an area of over 10 hectares. The research was conducted through water quality analysis, acute toxicity testing (LC50), microalgae identification, and satellite image interpretation. Results showed BOD concentrations of 20.8 mg/L, oil and grease at 28.5 mg/L, orthophosphate at 0.037 mg/L, and NO₃-N up to 1.194 mg/L, all exceeding the quality standards set by PP No. 22 of 2021. Toxicity testing yielded an LC50-96 hour value as low as 0.081%, categorized as highly toxic. Microalgae identification revealed a dominance of the Diatom group, such as Nitzschia sp., Navicula sp., and Surirella sp., which thrived due to high nutrient content and favorable water conditions (pH 6.92 - 7.70, high light intensity). Analysis of Sentinel-2 and Landsat 8/9 imagery showed the appearance of foam beginning on April 24 and its disappearance after May 4, 2022. This pollution is closely related to massive land use changes in the upstream area for corn farming expansion, poor domestic sanitation systems, and the semi-enclosed geographical position of Bima Bay, which hinders seawater mixing and accelerates pollutant accumulation. These findings highlight the importance of pollution mitigation based on spatial planning and integrated waste management in tropical coastal areas. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105148.html Nayarit, is a leading aquaculture state in Mexico, so evaluating the physicochemical characteristics of the water is essential for monitoring the region's aquaculture systems. For this, the objective was to evaluate the hydrological and ecological suitability of water in shrimp production. Physical and chemical variables (dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, turbidity, and salinity) were measured at 15 pumping water points during the winter and summer seasons. The Hydrological Aptitude Index (HAI) was calculated weighing the parameters from highest to lowest according to their importance for shrimp development. The ecological suitability was assessed following the guidelines of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) for Ecological Criteria for Water Quality compliance. The results indicated that the parameters dissolved oxygen (2.2 to 10.3 mg/L), temperature (24 to 35 °C) and pH (7.3 to 9.1) were identified as significant predictors of water quality according to the Mann-Whitney test (p < 0.05). Winter offered the best conditions for shrimp; the HAI classified hydrological suitability from requiring little management to having excellent quality (6 - 10) in 66.7 % of the samples. Although, a lack of correlation with shrimp productivity is shown in the Spearman test (p > 0.05). According to CCME, ecological conditions rarely or sometimes deviate from desirable levels (65-94) at 53.3% of sites. This research sets a precedent for the current state of aquaculture tributaries in Nayarit and proposes the use of quality indices as a tool for the comprehensive analysis of water suitability for Litopenaeus vannamei production. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105149.html This study evaluated the effectiveness of microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) in immobilizing heavy metals, using the most resistant bacterial strain isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil. Among the 16 strains isolated from soil near oil wells in Khuzestan, Iran, Citrobacter sp. strain PO2 was identified as the most effective in stabilizing a mixture of highly toxic heavy metals. The strain has been deposited in the NCBI database under accession number PP864728. The analysis was performed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. The results showed that the isolated bacterium removed 96.08% of copper, 97.47% of zinc, 99.89% of lead, 72.60% of cadmium, and 60.59% of nickel from a medium containing a mixture of heavy metals at a concentration of 800 mg/L, after 24 hours of incubation at 30 °C. At a concentration of 1500 mg/L, the bacterial strain removed 93.56%, 94.64%, and 97.59% of copper, zinc, and lead, respectively, from the mixed heavy metal solution, while no significant removal of cadmium and nickel was observed at this concentration. At a concentration of 1200 mg/L, bacterial removal efficiencies were 22.07% for cadmium and 6.29% for nickel, respectively. The toxicity of the heavy metals was ranked as follows: Pb > Cu = Zn > Cd > Ni. The MICP process thus represents a promising biological approach for stabilizing heavy metals, offering significant potential for applications in ecological restoration. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105150.html As global economic and human activities, as well as energy consumption, which have increased by 44% between 1971 and 2014, continue to rise, the concentration of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) will continue to exacerbate global warming and environmental degradation. CO2 emissions (CO2E) are leading source of global warming, accounting for about 80% of all GHG. Rising sea levels are a consequence of increased CO2E. Despite the fact that OECD countries have achieved notable successes, particularly in sustainable development, through regulations and other initiatives for more than six decades, they continue to face significant environmental challenges. In addition, the economies of the OECD member States and a number of developing nations are still responsible for three-quarters of total emissions. This study analyses the influence of economic fitness (EF), energy efficiency (EE), economic growth (EG), and international trade (INT) on CO2E. It employs the CS-ARDL, two-way fixed-effect estimation techniques, and the second-generation methods of cointegration and granger causality for the analysis. The results indicate that EF, EE, and INT are important factors in curbing CO2E, while EG is responsible for the rising CO2E in the short-run and the long-run. These findings imply that improving economic fitness and energy efficiency maybe a crucial component of CO2E mitigation.  https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105151.html The presence of Microplastics (MPs) in the environment poses a significant threat to both humans and ecosystems health. One common source of environmental MPs pollution is the sludge and effluent discharged by wastewater treatment facilities if no specific measures are implemented for post process MP removal. The purpose of this study is to investigate the MPs removal capacity under different conditions by analysis of MPs in the inlet wastewater, outlet effluent, and sludge of one of the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Qom city, Iran. Monthly sampling was conducted in spring and summer of 2022, resulting in analysis of a total of 18 samples from wastewater, effluent, and sludge. MPs were identified and separated according to established guidelines followed by further analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and µ-Raman spectroscopy. The average MPs concentration in wastewater and effluent were 710± 34.67 MP/L and 51± 4.42 MP/L, respectively, while it was 30.76±7.19MP/g in sludge. The treatment plant demonstrated an average MPs removal efficiency of 92.81%. Overall, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and fibers were the most frequent type and shape of MPs identified across all samples. The dominant sizes of MPs in wastewater and sludge ranged between 250-500 µm, while in the effluent, the MPs were primarily within the 250-100 µm. Based on the findings, it is estimated that 2652×106 MPs enter the environment daily through effluent and contributing to the pollution in air, soil, and surface water. The results of this study showed that sludge and effluent from WWTP are rich in MPs, and if used as fertilizer or to irrigate fields and crops, they can cause high levels of MPs to accumulate in the soil, polluting ecosystems and posing serious risks to organisms. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105152.html There is limited data on the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the waters of the Gulf of Tobruk, Libya. This study aims to establish a monitoring system to assess PAH concentrations, sources, and ecological risks in the region. Water samples were collected from seven sites during summer and winter. The concentrations of 16 PAHs ranged from 62.33 to 454.70 ng/L (Mean: 235.23 ± 152.37 ng/L) in summer and from 79.26 to 473.36 ng/L (Mean: 253.85 ± 151.49 ng/L) in winter, indicating high levels of pollution. Seasonal variations suggest lower PAH concentrations in summer due to differences in industrial activities, urban runoff, and hydrodynamic conditions. PAH diagnostic ratios and principal component analysis (PCA) revealed mixed petrogenic and pyrogenic sources. Tobruk Bay is under high ecological stress from PAH contamination. The ecological risk assessment classified the Gulf of Tobruk as a medium to high-risk area, posing potential harm to aquatic organisms. These findings underscore the need for long-term monitoring and pollution control strategies. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105153.html Glitter, a type of primary microplastic, has multiple applications including in cosmetics, embellishments in arts and crafts, decoration items and jewelry. The current study was designed to determine the potential effects on ingestion of microplastics upon hematology, histology and DNA integrity in relation to varying doses in experimental groups of Mus musculus along with their retention within the body. Commercial glitter (Polyethylene terephthalate), (0.03 µm in size) was selected and fed to experimental groups mixed with basal diet in escalating doses (0.0 µg/kg, 100 µg/kg, 200 µg/kg, 400 µg/kg and 800 µg/kg). Fecal matter was collected on daily basis and analyzed for amounts of MPs present in them. After trial duration of 21 days, blood samples were collected following standard protocol and hematological parameters analyzed. Statistical analysis indicated no significant difference of doses upon blood profile at α = 0.05 except for Lymphocytes (p = 0.01) which showed a significant impact at higher doses i.e. 400 µg/kg and 800 µg/kg. Histological examination of Gastrointestinal Tract indicated degeneration and sloughing of mucosal cells, and necrosis in intestines of groups treatment group 3 and treatment group 4. Degeneration and disruption of villi was also visible in these groups. Likewise DNA damage was noted to increase with increase in doses. It was also observed that the amount of MPs present in excreta reduced as the dose increased. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105154.html Dust storms pose significant environmental challenges in arid regions, with critical implications for human health and climate dynamics. This study investigates dust storm characteristics in Iraq during 2022, employing satellite imagery (Meteosat and CALIPSO), meteorological data, and the HYSPLIT trajectory model to analyze storm origins and atmospheric interactions. The study documented nine major dust storm events between March and July 2022, revealing storms consistently reaching 2-3 kilometers in vertical height. HYSPLIT back trajectory analysis identified multiple dust source regions, primarily in the northeastern Aljazeera area near Mosul. Particulate matter (PM₂.₅) concentrations severely escalated to 354 PPM during dust events, a 117% increase from the annual average of 163 PPM. Air Quality Index (AQI) ratings ranged from "very unhealthy" to "hazardous". Key findings demonstrate Iraq's increasing environmental deterioration due to lack of vegetation cover, highlighting complex atmospheric dynamics and the potential long-term consequences of dust storms. The study provides critical insights into dust storm mechanisms, offering essential data for environmental management and public health strategies in climate-sensitive regions. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105155.html This study investigates the spatial distribution of key air pollutants—NO₂, SO₂, CO, and surface O₃—across three southern districts of Tamil Nadu, India: Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, and Kanniyakumari, for the period April 2024 to March 2025. Pollutant data were derived from the Copernicus Sentinel-5P satellite and analyzed using the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform to map annual variations and identify pollution patterns. The results showed that Tuticorin experienced the highest pollutant levels due to its dense industrial and port activities, followed by Tirunelveli, where urban growth and traffic contributed to moderate concentrations. Kanniyakumari, characterized by its coastal setting and minimal industrialization, recorded the lowest levels. Satellite-derived data were further compared with ground-based measurements from TNPCB and AQI India for validation. The novelty of this work lies in its use of satellite-based atmospheric observations and cloud computing (GEE) for air quality analysis in southern Tamil Nadu, a region where such remote sensing studies remain limited. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105156.html This study investigates the role of soil chemistry, specifically pH, organic carbon (OC), organic matter (OM), and cation exchange capacity (CEC), in influencing the mobility and distribution of 232Th radionuclides in abandoned mine soils using advanced machine learning (ML) models. Soil samples were collected from multiple locations across different seasons. Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks, Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), and Random Forest (RF) models were employed to predict 232Th distribution, with feature selection identifying optimal model combinations (C1, C2, and C3). The performance evaluation of machine learning models revealed distinct patterns in predicting 232Th distribution. The results indicate that GPR-C1 exhibited the highest predictive accuracy, with MAPE improving from 8.9909 to 3.0468 and MAE reducing from 3.5236 to 1.6044 during the verification phase. In addition, GPR-C1 emerged as the top-performing model during both training (RMSE = 7.0851, DC = 0.6482) and testing (RMSE = 4.5808, DC = 0.5848), demonstrating its robustness in capturing non-linear relationships between soil properties (pH, OC, OM, CEC) and 232Th mobility. In contrast, RF models (RF-C1, RF-C3) exhibited the poorest performance (training RMSE > 11.5123; testing RMSE > 7.6855), likely due to their inability to resolve complex geochemical interactions, as evidenced by their low DC (<0.2) and PCC (<0.3) values. A notable observation was that several models exhibited lower RMSE in the testing set than in calibration, reflecting the reduced variance within the held-out site–season blocks; however, nested cross-validation and a leave-site-out analysis consistently identified GPR-C1 as the most reliable and accurate model. This aligns with field data showing higher 232Th mobility during wet seasons due to leaching and runoff transport (p < 0.05). For instance, testing RMSE (4.5808) of GPR-C1 was significantly lower than its training RMSE (7.0851), reinforcing the role of seasonal dynamics in 232Th redistribution. Therefore, this model demonstrates significant potential for accurately predicting 232Th behaviour and distribution, crucial for environmental risk assessments. Hence, accurate predictions of 232Th distribution can guide targeted remediation efforts and inform land management practices, mitigating risks associated with 232Th exposure.  https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105157.html The global spread of invasive aquatic organisms via ballast water discharge poses significant ecological and economic risks. Although various ballast water treatment systems (BWTS) are designed to mitigate this threat, the influence of ship-specific and operational parameters on treatment performance remains insufficiently understood. This study applies Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to evaluate relationships among ship characteristics (gross tonnage, length, width), treatment system operational parameters (rated capacity, retention time, flow rate, total volume), and biological outcomes (concentrations of viable organisms ≥50 µm and 10–50 µm). Data were obtained from 59 International Maritime Organization (IMO)-compliant commissioning test reports collected during discharge via dedicated sample ports under IMO G2 guidelines. Organism concentrations were determined using second-generation Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) analysis, with thresholds aligned to the IMO D-2 standard.Initial one-way ANOVA tests revealed no significant differences in organism concentrations across ship types or treatment technologies. Multiple regression analyses identified modest linear relationships between certain ship or operational variables and biological outcomes but also showed inter correlations among predictors that could obscure their individual effects. To address these dependencies and investigate potential indirect pathways, SEM was employed. The final model achieved good fit and indicated that larger ships generally possessed greater treatment and operational capacity, which was associated with reduced concentrations of organisms in the 10–50 µm size class. No significant effect was observed for organisms ≥50 µm. These results highlight the need to align BWTS capacity and hydraulic exposure with vessel scale, while suggesting that supplementary strategies may be required to effectively control larger organisms. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105158.html The present research investigated the adsorption of Gold (Au(I)), Copper (Cu(II)) and Zinc (Zn(II)) ions from aqueous solution using a natural clay from Akjoujt region in Mauritania as an low cost adsorbent. The natural Akjoujt clay were characterized by several physical and chemical methods such as X-Ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), BET surface Area, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). The removal efficacy of the Akjoujt clay adsorbent for Au (I), Cu(II) and Zn(II ion was studied in batch mode as a function of contact time and temperature. Adsorption kinetics data were modelled using pseudo-first-order (PFO) and pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetics. The behaviour and the nature of Au (I), Cu (II) and Zn (II) adsorption were analysed by employing the Langmuir, and Freundlich isotherm models. The adsorption kinetics followed the PSO kinetics whereas the adsorption data fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm model. The adsorption capacities (qm) from the Langmuir isotherm for Au(I), Cu(II) and Zn(II) are found as 2.90, 7.93 and 6.45 mg/g respectively. The effectiveness of Akjoujt clay in the adsorption of the three metals from aqueous system was Cu(II) > Zn(II) > Au(I).  The thermodynamic calculations suggested the spontaneous nature (ΔG° < 0) of the adsorption process, along with the endothermic characteristics (ΔH° > 0) in all cases. These findings highlight the promising potential of natural clay Akjoujt for efficiently adsorbing Au(I), Cu(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105159.html Heavy metal contamination in soil and water has emerged as a pressing global concern due to its persistence, bioaccumulative potential, and severe ecotoxicological impacts. This review synthesizes recent advances in understanding the sources, environmental fate, and remediation of heavy metals. Natural processes such as volcanic activity and weathering, coupled with anthropogenic drivers including mining, industrial discharge, agriculture, and urbanization, are identified as primary contributors to heavy metal pollution. The review examines transport mechanisms—sorption–desorption, redox transformations, colloid-facilitated migration, and interactions with micro- and nanoplastics—that govern heavy metal mobility and bioavailability across soil–water systems. Ecotoxicological assessments reveal profound disruptions in microbial communities, soil fertility, plant physiology, aquatic food webs, and higher trophic organisms through bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Remediation strategies are critically evaluated, spanning physical and chemical techniques, biological methods, plant–microbial consortia), and sustainable approaches. Emerging research emphasizes sustainable soil amendments, green nanotechnology, electrokinetic–PRB integration, and community-based monitoring. Collectively, this review underscores the urgent need for multidisciplinary, eco-friendly, and scalable remediation strategies to mitigate heavy metal pollution and safeguard ecosystem and human health. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105160.html Heavy metals in the environment pose significant risks due to their toxicity, persistence, and potential for bioaccumulation. This review focuses on metals of environmental concern, including Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Cr, Ni, Zn, and Cu, examining their classification as essential and non-essential elements and highlighting their toxicological impacts within regulatory thresholds. The environmental pathways of these metals are analyzed, including their primary sources, entry pathways, transport mechanisms, geochemical behaviour, bioavailability, bioaccumulation, and persistence in soil and water systems. Factors influencing their distribution and transformation, such as soil properties, water chemistry, climate variability, and anthropogenic activities, are also addressed. Advanced analytical techniques, including ICP-MS, AAS, portable XRF, speciation analysis, and AI/ML-enabled sensors, are evaluated for accurate detection and monitoring of heavy metal contamination. The review further assesses remediation strategies, encompassing physical, chemical, biological, and integrated approaches, as well as emerging technologies such as nanomaterials, engineered biochars, and multifunctional sorbents for enhanced removal efficiency. Risk assessment and management frameworks are discussed to address human and ecological exposure, highlighting the importance of site-specific, evidence-based interventions. The objectives of this review are to synthesize current knowledge on the occurrence, behaviour, and impacts of heavy metals; critically evaluate detection and remediation methods; examine management practices; and identify knowledge gaps to support sustainable environmental solutions and policy development. The synthesis provides a comprehensive understanding of heavy metal contamination and offers guidance for effective monitoring, remediation, and risk-informed management in soil and water systems. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105161.html This investigation examines the effect of short-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) on productivity of workers in the industrial city of Asaluyeh, Iran, with an objective to help develop better air quality control action plans. Because the immediate effects of PM2.5 on the workers in an industrial setting are poorly understood, we collected PM2.5 counts at each of the 6 monitors in 2018 and calculated the lost workdays using log-linear health models. We then isolated the spatial data using Kriging Interpolation and fuzzy logic models (FDEMATEL and FDANP) and consequently generated risk maps in six different areas. We estimated the economic burden by multiplying daily productivity (based on the average wage) with healthcare costs associated with respiratory health. Every 10 µg/m³ increase in the annual mean concentration of PM2.5 was associated with a 75% increase in workdays lost in Chah Mobarak (relative risk [RR] = 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6–1.9) and a 61% increase in Shirino (RR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.5–1.73). Hara and Phases 6, 7 and 8 had no significant effect on workdays lost (RR = 1.0). For the spatial model, we assessed areas identified as very high-risk, which covered a land use footprint of 3,072.96 hectares and legitimate risk variables that were primarily caused by closeness to emission sources. Economic losses equaled $889,200 in productivity losses and $983.76 in health care costs per 10 µg/m³ increase in Chah Mobarak, and the indirect losses we assigned for examples - reductions in industrial output - were $20 million. These results show the potential effects PM2.5 has on economic issues and health issues in industry served. We suggest specific emission controls that could be fairly easy and inexpensive to implement such as filter systems and live air quality monitoring to improve productive capacity and health of workers. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105162.html Phosphorus eutrophication threatens freshwater ecosystems and food security in semiarid agricultural regions. The potential of low-temperature (<400 °C) lanthanum modification of steel slag to achieve high adsorption capacity, environmental safety, and regenerability for phosphate removal is uncertain. We synthesized lanthanum-modified steel slag at 400 °C and conducted structural characterization. We performed batch and fixed-bed column adsorption tests, supplemented by the USEPA Method 1312 leaching assessment across pH 2–9, five-cycle regeneration studies, Visual MINTEQ geochemical modeling, and ISO 14044-compliant life-cycle cost analysis. The material showed a phosphate adsorption capacity of 3.21 ± 0.08 mg P/g at pH 7, a 90% improvement over pristine slag, maintained ≥80% performance across pH 5–9, and demonstrated lanthanum release of 0.0181 ± 0.0009 mg/L at pH 2—90.5% below regulatory guidelines and the lowest for rare-earth adsorbents. The five-cycle regeneration process retained 82 ± 2.1% of its capacity. Geochemical modeling revealed a dual-pathway mechanism: 60% reversible inner-sphere complexation and 40% irreversible lanthanum phosphate precipitation, accounting for superior performance. The manufacturing cost was USD 1.19 ± 0.12/kg, 60–70% lower than conventional rare-earth synthesis, yielding a net present value of USD 0.47 million and a 23.6% internal rate of return over ten years. This study established quantified design principles for low-temperature rare-earth adsorbents, facilitated decentralized phosphorus recovery in resource-limited regions, and demonstrated unprecedented lanthanum immobilization through triple-mechanism passivation combined with regenerability and economic viability in smallholder agricultural systems. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105163.html To improve the absorption and desorption performance of aqueous MDEA solution, a hybrid solvent composed of 40 wt.% MDEA and 20 wt.% Sulfolane was prepared and systematically evaluated under varying pressure conditions. At (0.1–0.5 MPa) pressures, the conventional aqueous MDEA solution exhibited a higher CO₂ absorption capacity in comparison to the hybrid solution, indicating its effectiveness in less pressurized environments. However, under high-pressure (>0.5 MPa) conditions, the hybrid solution demonstrated superior performance, reaching 3.28 mol·kg⁻¹ CO₂ molality, compared to 2.94 mol·kg⁻¹ for the conventional solution. This enhanced capacity highlights the beneficial interaction between MDEA and sulfolane at elevated pressures. Additionally, the hybrid formulation improved the regeneration efficiency by 3.7% relative to the standard MDEA solution, indicating better solvent recyclability. The incorporation of 0.1 wt.% MIL-101-NH₂(Cr) nanoparticles into the hybrid solvent further enhanced system performance, increasing CO₂ molality by 17.1% suggesting enhanced surface area, the porous surface, the amine functional groups and active site availability for CO₂ interaction. elevating the regeneration efficiency to 99.45% at an operating temperature of 80°C, demonstrating the underscoring the synergistic role of nanomaterials in advancing solvent-based CO₂ capture technologies. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105164.html Agricultural land along river basins such as the Bekasi River is highly vulnerable to heavy metal contamination from industrial and domestic activities. Lead (Pb) and Cadmium (Cd) concentrations that exceed the threshold limits have the potential to reduce crop quality and endanger human health. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of single and combined applications of soil ameliorants (rice husk biochar, rice straw compost, and biofertilizers based on Azotobacter and Azospirillum) in reducing Pb and Cd content in choy sum (Brassica rapa var. parachinensis). The research was conducted in a greenhouse using contaminated soil from the banks of the Bekasi River, arranged in a completely randomized design consisting of 5 treatments and 4 replications. The results showed that the combined treatment of biochar + biofertilizer was the most effective formulation, reducing heavy metal content in choy sum to Pb at 0.42 mg/kg and Cd at 0.04 mg/kg. While the Cd level was well below the safe threshold of 0.2 mg/kg, the Pb content still exceeded the recommended limit of 0.2 mg/kg. These findings indicate that biochar and biofertilizer can synergistically suppress heavy metal uptake by immobilizing metals and enhancing microbial activity. Although further refinement is required to meet Pb safety standards, this approach shows strong potential as a sustainable remediation strategy to support food safety. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105165.html With the global population projected to reach 11 billion by 2100, achieving sustainable agriculture is crucial to meet the increasing food demand. Nitrogen fertilizers, though essential for crop productivity, exhibit low use efficiency (30-40%), resulting in environmental pollution and soil nutrient imbalances. Molybdenum (Mo), a critical micronutrient, plays a vital role in enhancing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) by acting as a cofactor for key enzymes like nitrate reductase and nitrogenase, which facilitate nitrogen assimilation and fixation.  This review highlights the significance of Mo supplementation in agriculture, particularly in improving crop yields, nitrogen uptake, and nutritional quality. Research indicates that optimal Mo application boosts chlorophyll synthesis, stress tolerance, and phosphorus uptake while reducing nitrate leaching. Crops such as wheat, rice, and chickpeas show substantial benefits from Mo application under varying soil conditions. However, Mo availability remains limited in acidic and sandy soils, necessitating targeted approaches. The findings underscore Mo's potential to improve NUE, reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers, and promote environmental sustainability. Further exploration of Mo, including advancements in nanotechnology, offers promising prospects for developing efficient, eco-friendly agricultural practices to address global food security challenges. https://jpoll.ut.ac.ir/article_105166.html This work investigated the impacts of C-Phycocyanin on Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs)-induced stress in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) plants. The study focused on evaluating the effects of TiO₂ NPs on the vegetative growth, biochemical composition, oxidative stress markers, and DNA integrity of alfalfa plants. TiO₂ NPs stressed the alfalfa plants in a concentration-dependent manner through decrease in plant height, branch number, leaf area, and biomass production. Biochemical parameters like chlorophyll, nitrogen, and potassium contents were reduced, revealing diminished physiological and photosynthetic activities. Contrarily, the co-application of TIO2 NPs and C-Phycocyanin mitigated the detrimental effects, as they promoted the growth and biochemical parameters recovery at low and moderate nanoparticle concentrations. TIO2 NPs treatment increased the level of Catalase, Superoxide Dismutase, Malondialdehyde, Reactive Oxygen Species (CAT, SOD, MDA, and ROS) oxidative stress biomarkers, while C-Phycocyanin application decreased these indicators values, masking their scavenging potential. DNA integrity analysis through Comet Assay suggested that C-Phycocyanin effectively resist cells from TIO2 NPs -induced DNA damage and retain genomic stability. Therefore, co-application of C-Phycocyanin mitigated these adverse effects, demonstrating its potential as a natural biostimulant that enhances plant tolerance to nanoparticle-induced phytotoxicity.