The large coal production and consumption has caused environmental problems worldwide as a source of energy production with irreparable effects on soil, water, and the ecosystem. In addition, producing coal waste in coal washing plants and burying it intensifies the issue in nature. Due to the rising generation of coal waste from various sources, this study utilized several forms of coal waste obtained from a coal-washing plant in the production of both structural concrete (with a water-cement ratio of 0.54) and non-structural concrete (with a water-cement ratio of 0.7). The impact of coal waste on compressive strength (CS) was examined at curing ages of 7, 28, and 56 days. Various percentages of coal waste were substituted for both cement and sand. A superplasticizer was incorporated into the concrete mixtures to enhance the workability and achieve the desired slump and strength levels. According to the compressive strength findings, the ideal replacement level of sand with jig coal waste was 30 %. For 56-day-old specimens, the optimal substitution rates for cement with jig coal waste powder, flotation coal waste, and coal waste ash were found to be 10 %, 10 %, and 20 %, respectively. Notably, adding 10 % coal waste powder and coal waste ash increased compressive strength by 22 %, 23 %, and 44 % at 56 days.

Purpose of ReviewThis review imparts the information on melanin as a multifunctional biomolecule, emphasizing the diversity of sources like microbial, plant, and human, and accentuating its potential as a sustainable material. It deliberately focuses on current advances in utilizing melanin for inventive applications in important areas such as food, cosmetics, environmental improvement, and agriculture, as well as its increasing significance in promoting eco-friendly and industrial solutions.Recent FindingsMelanin derived from microbial, plant, and human sources has a broad spectrum of bioactivities, which includes protection from UV radiation, strong antioxidant capabilities, and the strong ability to affiliate and neutralize environmental contaminants. Recently its natural origin and biocompatibility have caught the eye in its usage as a food coloring and preservation. Not only this, it is also known to create a spark in the cosmetic industry by providing skin protection, pigmentation balance, and anti-aging effects, with both plant- and human-derived melanin playing their important roles.Environmentally, microbial and plant-based melanin built a strong resilience in the elimination of heavy and toxic metals and compounds. In agriculture, microbial melanin is well known for improving soil health in addition to increasing plant tolerance to stress and shielding biocontrol chemicals from UV destruction and showing their high capacity and significant role in different industries, making it one of the most promising byproducts of the cellular process.Recent FindingsMelanin derived from microbial, plant, and human sources has a broad spectrum of bioactivities, which includes protection from UV radiation, strong antioxidant capabilities, and the strong ability to affiliate and neutralize environmental contaminants. Recently its natural origin and biocompatibility have caught the eye in its usage as a food coloring and preservation. Not only this, it is also known to create a spark in the cosmetic industry by providing skin protection, pigmentation balance, and anti-aging effects, with both plant- and human-derived melanin playing their important roles.Environmentally, microbial and plant-based melanin built a strong resilience in the elimination of heavy and toxic metals and compounds. In agriculture, microbial melanin is well known for improving soil health in addition to increasing plant tolerance to stress and shielding biocontrol chemicals from UV destruction and showing their high capacity and significant role in different industries, making it one of the most promising byproducts of the cellular process.SummaryMelanin, derived from different sources-microorganisms, plants, and humans-represents a flexible and sustainable biomaterial that is becoming increasingly important in the various fields. Its multifunctional qualities make it extraordinary application for use in food preservation, cosmetics, environmental improvement, and sustainable agriculture. This review summarizes melanin's potential for long-term innovation and industrial progress by amalgamating the ideas from several biological sources.

Foamed lightweight soil (FLS) is frequently used for roadbed backfilling; however, excessive cement use contributes to higher costs and energy consumption. Desulfurized gypsum (DG), a by-product of industrial processing with a chemical composition similar to natural gypsum, presents a viable alternative to cement. This study evaluates the potential of DG to replace cement in FLS, creating a new material, desulfurized gypsum foamed lightweight soil (DG-FLS). This article is conducted on DG-FLS with varying DG content (0-30%) to assess its flowability, water absorption, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), durability, and morphological characteristics, with a focus on its suitability for roadbed backfilling, though its performance over the long term in engineering applications was not evaluated. Results show that as DG content increased, flowability, water absorption, and UCS decreased, with values falling within the range of 175-183 mm, 8.24-12.49%, and 0.75-2.75 MPa, respectively, all of which meet embankment requirements. The inclusion of DG enhanced the material's plasticity, improving failure modes and broadening its applicability. Durability tests under wet-dry and freeze-thaw cycles showed comparable performance to traditional FLS, with UCS exceeding 0.3 MPa. Additionally, the incorporation of SO42- in DG-FLS reduced sulfate diffusion, decreased C-S-H content, and increased calcium sulfate content, improving sulfate resistance. After 120 days of exposure to sulfates, the durability coefficient of DG-FLS surpassed 100%, with a 25% improvement over traditional FLS. A sustainability analysis revealed that DG-FLS not only meets engineering strength requirements but also offers economic and environmental benefits. Notably, DG-12 showed a 20% reduction in environmental impact compared to conventional FLS, underscoring its potential for more sustainable construction.

The effectiveness of zeolitic tuff (ZT) based geopolymer stabilization as a sustainable alternative to conventional cement stabilization for expansive soils is investigated in this study. Mechanical and geotechnical properties of geopolymer stabilized soil are evaluated in terms of ZT content, sodium silicate to sodium hydroxide (NS:NH) ratio and curing time. Soil improvement was assessed by laboratory tests, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), plasticity, compaction, and free swell tests. The test results show that the geopolymer stabilization increases the UCS significantly, as the NS:NH=2:1 mixture attains the maximum UCS of about 5.0 MPa in 28 days of curing, representing a 40 % increase over 12 % cement-stabilized soil. Furthermore, geopolymer-stabilized soils show a higher swelling reduction with free swell percentages as low as 0.25 %, a 42 % improvement compared to cement. The environmental assessment shows a 19 % lower CO2 emission per MPa of strength for geopolymer stabilization compared to cement-based stabilization, making it an eco-friendly choice. Pavement performance analysis using the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) indicates that geopolymer-stabilized subbase layers improve structural integrity while reducing overall pavement rutting and fatigue cracking. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) results validate the creation of a dense geopolymer matrix structure that enhances the strength and stability characteristics of soil materials. The study concludes that geopolymer stabilization using ZT with optimized NS:NH ratios delivers effective, high-performing, environmentally sustainable alternatives to traditional cement.

This study analyzes the effects of Hurricane Eta on the Chiriqui Viejo River basin, revealing the significant impact of extreme weather events on the hydrological dynamics of the region. The maximum rainfall recorded on November 4, 2020, reached 223.8 mm, while the flow in Paso Canoa reached 638.03 m3/s, demonstrating the magnitude of the event and the inability of the basin to handle such high volumes of water. Through a detailed analysis, it was observed that soil saturation resulted in direct runoff of up to 70.0 mm that same day, which shows that the infiltration capacity of the soil was quickly exceeded. Despite the damage observed, there are currently no advanced hydrological studies on extreme events in critical basins such as the Chiriqui Viejo River. This lack of research reflects a serious lack of planning and assessment of the risks associated with phenomena of this magnitude. One of the most critical problems found is the lack of specialized hydrology professionals, who are essential to carry out detailed studies and ensure sustainable management of water resources. In a context where climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme events, the absence of hydrologists in the region puts the resilience of the basin to future disasters at risk. The basin's hydraulic system demonstrated its inability to handle high flows, underscoring the need to improve flood control and water retention infrastructure. In addition, the lack of effective hydrological planning and coordination in the management of hydraulic infrastructures compromises both the safety of downstream communities and the sustainability of hydroelectric reservoirs, vital for the region.

The adoption of sustainable farming practices will improve food security around the world. The evidence that food is produced sustainably has become important for maintaining access to global markets and is influencing commodity marketing and pricing. This paper explores the current state of global sustainability reporting and examines whether yield data could improve the sustainability of farming by adding more rigour and transparency to the evidential basis of sustainability. The Australian grains and oilseeds industry is used as a case study with most of the Australian grain and oilseed crop grown for export markets. Sustainability policies in the European Union, United States of America and Australia are contrasted, with a focus on the improved management of nitrogenous fertiliser, which is viewed as the most efficient way to reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. Generally, sustainability reporting is based on a suite of indicators that are easy to measure and interpret, sensitive to change, technically sound and cost-effective. These indicators serve as a mechanism to quantify and document the practices used to produce crops but some of the current measures are relatively coarse and lack transparency. The time and cost incurred to collect these measurements could be reduced by using secondary data to report on sustainability. Yield data are already collected by many grain, and oilseed growers, and provide a transparent, evidence-based way to optimise and report on fertiliser application at fine scale. Yield data can help to maintain soil health and farm profit, reduce environmental damage and generate quantitative data for reporting on agricultural sustainability, but some challenges remain before it could be implemented as a universal reporting measure.

Despite its advantages, conventional soil-cement has limitations in terms of mechanical strength and durability, especially in environments with high humidity or high structural demands. The development of high-performance soil-cement (HPSC) presents significantly superior mechanical properties. The decentralized production of these panels has resulted in a cost reduction of more than 40%, making them an affordable alternative for low-income communities. Even so, providing technical support for the popularization of HPSC is crucial for the advancement of civil construction and to enable the expansion of affordable and sustainable housing for vulnerable communities. This study focuses on the development of a high-performance soil-cement panel, including its manufacturing process and the materials used. The panel was produced using Yellow Argisol soil, found locally in abundant quantities, modified with sand. Measurements of flexural strength and water absorption were carried out, together with a comparison of the strength of high-performance concrete (HPC) found in the literature. The developed panels present an average flexural strength of 6.71 MPa. Additionally, water absorption reached 5.99%, indicating the high performance of this material, which is comparable to high-performance concrete but more economical and sustainable. This contribution confirms the viability of transferring HPSC technology and highlights its social impact on civil construction.

Highlights What are the main findings? The bast fibers extracted from the second generation of energy crop L. biomass have consistent yield and stable productivity across different seasons; Sida hermaphroditaThe results revealed a favorable moisture content, strength, and toughness, suitable for storage and processing. What are the implications of the main findings? fibers are suitable for use in a wide range of industrial applications, where a combination of lightness, strength, and toughness is required; Sida hermaphroditaAccording to the circular economy principles, a high percentage of side streams after fiber isolation are successfully applied for biofuel production.Highlights What are the main findings? The bast fibers extracted from the second generation of energy crop L. biomass have consistent yield and stable productivity across different seasons; Sida hermaphroditaThe results revealed a favorable moisture content, strength, and toughness, suitable for storage and processing. What are the implications of the main findings? fibers are suitable for use in a wide range of industrial applications, where a combination of lightness, strength, and toughness is required; Sida hermaphroditaAccording to the circular economy principles, a high percentage of side streams after fiber isolation are successfully applied for biofuel production.Abstract Virginia mallow or Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby (SH) is a perennial plant from the Malvaceae family (mallows) that is used for medicinal purposes, reducing soil erosion, cleaning soil, and most recently for energy production. The potential of sustainable lignocellulosic agro-waste is immense as it represents Earth's most abundant organic compound. This paper explores fibers isolated from SH stems, a plant with significant industrial application potential, including technical textiles and biocomposites. The fibers were harvested in January, March, and November of 2020 and in January and March of 2021, and their yield, mechanical properties, moisture content, and density were thoroughly analyzed. The fiber yield showed slight variations depending on the harvest time, with consistent results observed across different years, suggesting stable productivity. The SH fibers demonstrated a favorable moisture content, making them suitable for storage and processing, and their density ranged between 1.52 and 1.58 g/cm3, comparable to that of other natural fibers. According to this research, the best mechanical properties were observed in the winter harvest. Furthermore, the high percentage of solid residue left after fiber extraction shows promise for sustainable utilization, primarily for biofuel production. This study underscores the versatility and sustainability of SH fibers, positioning them as a valuable resource for a wide range of industrial applications.

Waste tire textile fiber (WTTF), a secondary product from the processing of end-of-life tires, is predominantly disposed of through incineration or landfilling-both of which present significant environmental hazards. The incineration process emits large quantities of greenhouse gases (GHGs) as well as harmful substances such as dioxins and heavy metals, exacerbating air pollution and contributing to climate change. Conversely, landfilling WTTF results in long-term environmental degradation, as the synthetic fibers are non-biodegradable and can leach pollutants into the surrounding soil and water systems. These detrimental impacts emphasize the pressing need for environmentally sustainable disposal and reuse strategies. We found that 80% of WTTF was used for the production of thermal insulation mats. The other part, i.e., 20% of the raw material, used for the twining, stabilization, and improvement of the properties of the mats, consisted of recycled polyester fiber (RPES), bicomponent polyester fiber (BiPES), and hollow polyester fiber (HPES). The research shows that 80% of WTTF produces a stable filament for sustainable thermal insulating mat formation. The studies on sustainable thermal insulating mats show that the thermal conductivity of the product varies from 0.0412 W/(m center dot K) to 0.0338 W/(m center dot K). The tensile strength measured parallel to the direction of formation ranges from 5.60 kPa to 13.8 kPa, and, perpendicular to the direction of formation, it ranges from 7.0 kPa to 23 kPa. In addition, the fibers, as well as the finished product, were characterized by low water absorption values, which, depending on the composition, ranged from 1.5% to 4.3%. This research is practically significant because it demonstrates that WTTF can be used to produce insulating materials using non-woven technology. The obtained thermal conductivity values are comparable to those of conventional insulating materials, and the measured mechanical properties meet the requirements for insulating mats.

This paper focuses on the stability issues of geological and engineering structures and conducts research from two perspectives: the mechanism of slope landslides under micro-seismic action and the cyclic failure behavior of concrete materials. In terms of slope stability, through the combination of model tests and theories, the cumulative effect of circulating micro-seismic waves on the internal damage of slopes was revealed. This research finds that the coupling of micro-vibration stress and static stress significantly intensifies the stress concentration on the slope, promotes the development of potential sliding surfaces and the extension of joints, and provides a scientific basis for the prediction of landslide disasters. This helps protect mountain ecosystems and reduce soil erosion and vegetation destruction. The number of cyclic loads has a power function attenuation relationship with the compressive strength of concrete. After 1200 cycles, the strength drops to 20.5 MPa (loss rate 48.8%), and the number of cracks increases from 2.7 per mm(3) to 34.7 per mm(3) (an increase of 11.8 times). Damage evolution is divided into three stages: linear growth, accelerated expansion, and critical failure. The influence of load amplitude on the number of cracks shows a threshold effect. A high amplitude (>0.5 g) significantly stimulates the propagation of intergranular cracks in the mortar matrix, and the proportion of intergranular cracks increases from 12% to 65%. Grey correlation analysis shows that the number of cycles dominates the strength attenuation (correlation degree 0.87), and the load amplitude regulates the crack initiation efficiency more significantly (correlation degree 0.91). These research results can optimize the design of concrete structures, enhance the durability of the project, and indirectly reduce the resource consumption and environmental burden caused by structural damage. Both studies are supported by numerical simulation and experimental verification, providing theoretical support for disaster prevention and control and sustainable engineering practices and contributing to ecological environment risk management and the development of green building materials.