Introduction Soil mass instability on steep slopes presents significant challenges for erosion control and soil stabilization, requiring the development of biodegradable geotextile alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate the resistance of geotextiles produced from Syagrus coronata (Mart.) Becc. fibers, treated with waterproofing resin, subjected to the effects of exposure to degradation under environmental conditions.Methods Geotextile samples were exposed to solar radiation, rain, wind, and soil microorganisms; mechanical behavior was assessed via tensile strength and static puncture tests, supplemented by scanning electron microscopy. Statistical analyses, including ANOVA-RM and regression models, were applied to discern the effects of exposure time and resin treatments on the fibers' performance.Results and discussion Key findings indicate that a single-layer resin treatment significantly prolongs the mechanical viability of the fibers over 120 days, maintaining higher ultimate tensile strength compared to untreated or double-layer-treated fibers. Although double-layer resin provided an initially higher tensile resistance, it accelerated structural failures beyond 90 days, while untreated fibers were nonviable after 60 days. These results highlight a trade-off between stiffness and durability, evidencing that a single-layer resin application delivers an optimal balance of mechanical resilience and flexibility. These findings suggest that a single-layer resin treatment provides a balance between durability and mechanical performance, making it a suitable choice for eco-friendly geotextile applications. Properly treated Syagrus coronata fibers emerge as an economical and sustainable alternative for geotextiles, offering greater durability and contributing to improving slope stabilization and erosion control in environmental conditions of recovery and revegetation of degraded areas.

Over the past few decades, China has encountered a pronounced escalation in mining operations, precipitating many environmental and ecological complexities. These challenges have catalyzed endeavors aimed at the rehabilitation of mining sites. Despite the nation's rapid industrial advancement, environmental deterioration, characterized by soil erosion, land subsidence, and water contamination, remains pervasive. Restoration endeavors in mining regions are aimed at mitigating environmental harm, restoring landscapes, and fostering sustainable land usage. In this review, we investigate the multifaceted strategies employed by China to mitigate environmental damage, restore landscapes, and foster sustainable land utilization in mining regions. Government policies, regulations, and incentive programs underscore a commitment to international environmental objectives through restoration initiatives. The discussion encompasses afforestation, wetland restoration, and water treatment techniques employed in China, which have led to ecosystem revitalization, improved air and water quality, and socio-economic benefits for communities. Nonetheless, restoring mining areas in China presents complex challenges, stemming from the scale of restoration required and various socio-economic factors. Continued investment, collaboration, and perseverance are essential for the success of these restoration endeavors. China's initiatives in the restoration of mining areas underscore its dedication to environmental sustainability, shedding light on the complex nature of such endeavors. Consequently, we stress the significance of embracing responsible mining practices and highlight the global relevance of China's experiences in land reclamation and ecological rehabilitation.

INTRODUCTION Tobacco farming plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of many rural communities in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). However, this agricultural practice is associated with severe environmental degradation and significant health risks to workers during cropping. METHODS This study evaluates the ecological and health impacts of tobacco farming in Pakistan, employing both quantitative (surveys) including 200 respondents (farmers and field workers/laborers) and qualitative methods (in-depth interviews) involving 10 respondents (farmers, policy experts, agriculturist and environmental specialists). The research focuses on Swabi, a key tobacco-growing region, and highlights the negative effects of excessive pesticide use, fertilizer application, and deforestation, which contribute to soil erosion, water pollution, and biodiversity loss RESULTS Regression analysis shows that pesticide use ((3=0.65, p<0.001) and deforestation ((3=0.82, p<0.001) are the leading contributors to ecological degradation. The relationship between tobacco yield and environmental degradation, although showing a trend (p=0.062), is statistically negligible and unlikely to have practical significance ((3=-0.15). Health risks are equally concerning, with farmworkers (labor hired for farming, farmers, landlords) exposed to harmful agrochemicals and nicotine absorption leading to respiratory diseases, skin conditions, and green tobacco sickness (GTS). Pesticide exposure ((3=0.71, p<0.001) and contact with tobacco leaves ((3=0.53, p<0.001) significantly impact workers'health, while using personal protective equipment (PPE) helps mitigate these risks ((3=-0.43, p=0.001). The study also reveals that many farmers are interested in transitioning to alternative crops like maize or cotton, but they face financial and informational barriers. CONCLUSIONS The growing of tobacco in Pakistan entails significant ecological and health dangers, emphasizing the immediate need for the implementation of sustainable farming strategies to mitigate environmental harm and enhance the socio-economic conditions of farmers. Government support through financial incentives, educational programs, and sustainable farming techniques is essential to reduce the environmental damage and improve public health.

This article presents the development of laminate biocomposite via film stacking technique (FST) represents a method for processing fiber-reinforced thermoplastic laminate composites. The primary difficulty is the compatibility between the hydrophilic natural fibers and the hydrophobic PLA. With these limitations, the utilization of fiber content exceeding 50 wt% remains unfeasible. The PVA-based adhesives spraying technique is used to improve compatibility. Additionally, the effect of four different compatibilizer adhesives applied between the layers was examined: polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), PVA modified with 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (modified PVA), PVA-microfibrillated cellulose (PVA-MFC), and PVA-MFC modified with 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (modified PVA-MFC). The findings of the study demonstrate that the natural fibers/PLA laminate biocomposite comprises 65 wt% fiber and 35 wt% PLA, thus achieving successful preparation of laminate biocomposites containing over 50 wt% fibers using the FST technique. In comparison to PVA, modified PVA elevated the flexural strength of the laminate biocomposite by up to 122 %. The modified PVA-MFC compatibilizer, when compared with modified PVA, enhanced impact strength by up to 148 %, reduced surface polarity by 31 %, and notably improved thermal stability. In a QUV accelerated weathering test, all the laminates exhibited reduced flexural modulus and flexural strength, but the flexural strength of all the tested materials remained above 50 MPa. In soil burial tests, the PVA laminate exhibited the most rapid decomposition, whereas the modified PVA-MFC laminate demonstrated a notably slower degradation rate. Accelerated weathering notably increased the decomposition of the materials in soil. The modified PVA-MFC laminate emerged as the optimal material for producing a high-strength biodegradable laminate biocomposite, due to its superior mechanical and thermal properties, rendering them suitable for applications requiring structural support, such as interior construction, stage floors, furniture, and building interior decoration materials.

The impact of the active hostilities associated with Russia's large-scale armed invasion of the territory of Ukraine on soil degradation as a result of military actions has resulted in soil damage due to heavy military armored vehicles. Debris from destroyed military equipment, ammunition, and fuel remnants lead to multi-factor damage to the soil system, causing local and global pollution and losses of soil resources. In all the studied cases, mechanical, chemical, and physical soil degradation were observed. This was manifested in changes in granulometric fractions at explosion sites, burning areas, and locations with heavy-metal contamination. Equipment incineration has resulted in an increase in the sand fraction (2.0-0.05 mm) by 1.2-1.8 times and a decrease in the clay fraction (<0.002 mm) by 1.1-1.2 times. The soil contamination levels with regard to heavy metals significantly surpass health standards, with the highest pollution levels observed for Pb, Zn, and Cd. Across all affected areas, changes occurred in the microbiome structure (a 20.5-fold increase in the proportion of mycelial organisms), microbiological process activity was suppressed (a 1.2-fold decrease), microbial biomass (a 2.1-fold decrease) was reduced, and high soil toxicity (99.8%) was observed. Explosions and the pyrolysis of armored vehicles have a significant impact on soil mesobiota and plants. The results indicate the existence of complex interactions between various factors in the soil environment post-explosion, significantly affecting soil health.

Understanding climate change and land use impacts is crucial for mitigating environmental degradation. This study assesses the environmental vulnerability of the Doce River Basin for 2050, considering future climate change and land use and land cover (LULC) scenarios. Factors including slope, elevation, relief dissection, precipitation, temperature, pedology, geology, urban distance, road distance, and LULC were evaluated using multicriteria analysis. Regional climate models Eta-HadGEM2-ES and Eta-MIROC5 under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 emission scenarios were employed. The Land Change Modeler tool simulated 2050 LULC changes and hypothetical reforestation of legal reserve (RL) areas. Combining two climate and two LULC scenarios resulted in four future vulnerability scenarios. Projections indicate an over 300 mm reduction in average annual precipitation and an up to 2 degrees C temperature increase from 2020 to 2050. Scenario 4 (RCP 8.5 and LULC for 2050 with reforested RLs) showed the greatest basin area in the lowest vulnerability classes, while scenario 3 (RCP 4.5 and LULC for 2050) exhibited more high-vulnerability areas. Despite the projected relative improvement in environmental vulnerability by 2050 due to reduced rainfall, the complexity of associated relationships must be considered. These results contribute to mitigating environmental damage and adapting to future climatic conditions in the Doce River Basin.