The environment has been damaged due to anthropogenic activities related to the production and consumption of cattle. The present study investigated the pollution potentials of slaughterhouse effluents on groundwater qualities in Ebonyi State Southeast Nigeria, with the specific objectives to determine the effect of slaughterhouse effluents on both microbiological, physicochemical and heavy metal parameters on the quality of groundwater. Eighty-four well water samples were taken in 2022 and 2023 from slaughterhouse locations, and a control location for the determination of physicochemical properties and microbiological contents using standard analytical methods. Datasets were analyzed using Fisher's Significance Least Difference (F-LSD) at 0.05 probability level. The study recorded higher levels of physicochemical, BOD, COD, Salinity, bacterial and fungal counts in the slaughterhouses well waters when compared to the control well water. With the exception of chloride, ammonia, copper and electrical conductivity, all water parameters were significant in both years. The result of the study also demonstrated that, with the exception of ammonia, lead, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, salinity, salmonella spp, shigella spp, E. coli, and other coliforms, the majority of the analysed parameters were within the World Health Organisation recommended standard. In addition, as compared to the first year of study, the well water parameters were generally higher in the second year. In order to prevent groundwater pollution, the present study suggests that slaughterhouse effluents be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner through the segregation of waste materials to prevent groundwater pollution.

The Tibetan Plateau is the Asia Water Tower and is pivotal for Asia and the whole world. Groundwater is essential for sustainable development in its alpine regions, yet its chemical quality increasingly limits its usability. The present research examines the hydrochemical characteristics and origins of phreatic groundwater in alpine irrigation areas. The study probes the chemical signatures, quality, and regulatory mechanisms of phreatic groundwater in a representative alpine irrigation area of the Tibetan Plateau. The findings indicate that the phreatic groundwater maintains a slightly alkaline and fresh status, with pH values ranging from 7.07 to 8.06 and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) between 300.25 and 638.38 mg/L. The hydrochemical composition of phreatic groundwater is mainly HCO3-Ca type, with a minority of HCO3-NaCa types, closely mirroring the profile of river water. Nitrogen contaminants, including NO3-, NO2-, and NH4+, exhibit considerable concentration fluctuations within the phreatic aquifer. Approximately 9.09% of the sampled groundwaters exceed the NO2- threshold of 0.02 mg/L, and 28.57% surpass the NH4+ limit of 0.2 mg/L for potable water standards. All sampled groundwaters are below the permissible limit of NO3- (50 mg/L). Phreatic groundwater exhibits relatively good potability, as assessed by the entropy-weighted water quality index (EWQI), with 95.24% of groundwaters having an EWQI value below 100. However, the potential health risks associated with elevated NO3- levels, rather than NO2- and NH4+, merit attention when such water is consumed by minors at certain sporadic sampling locations. Phreatic groundwater does not present sodium hazards or soil permeability damage, yet salinity hazards require attention. The hydrochemical makeup of phreatic groundwater is primarily dictated by rock-water interactions, such as silicate weathering and cation exchange reactions, with occasional influences from the dissolution of evaporites and carbonates, as well as reverse cation-exchange processes. While agricultural activities have not caused a notable rise in salinity, they are the main contributors to nitrogen pollution in the study area's phreatic groundwater. Agricultural-derived nitrogen pollutants require vigilant monitoring to avert extensive deterioration of groundwater quality and to ensure the sustainable management of groundwater resources in alpine areas.

Coal occupies a dominant position in China's energy structure. However, overburden failure is the root cause of several safety and environmental issues. With the successive proposals of green mining and the dual-carbon strategy, the green development of coal-based energy has become the priority development direction. Overburden grout injection has become the preferred choice in the green mining technology system. The potential ecological health risk of heavy metal contamination in fly ash matrix soil was analyzed and evaluated in Xinyi coalmine. It is pointed out that only using fly ash as grouting material may cause irreversible harm to groundwater system. Based on the solid waste utilization and sustainable development, the close packing theory was adopted to determine that poorly graded gangue can be used as filling aggregate. Meanwhile, the passivation characteristics of loess to reduce the heavy metal in fly ash by increasing the water-stable aggregate content were elucidated. The properties and parameters of grouting materials composed of gangue, loess, and fly ash were analyzed, and a reasonable upper limit of slurry concentration was determined to be 72%. The field application indicates that the maximum surface subsidence is 473 mm, and the damage degree of buildings is within grade I, liberating 163 Mt of coal resources under the buildings. The harmless treatment of solid waste has been achieved, effectively reducing the negative external impact of coal mining. It is equivalent to saving 95.95 million yuan while promoting the green, safe, and sustainable development of coal enterprises.