The river chief system is an institutional innovation designed to mitigate the fragmentation of watershed governance in China. The idea was to develop offices of river chiefs and designate named individuals as responsible for water quality across all regions and levels of government. This article examines the mechanisms that led to the transfer of the river chief model from Wuxi to the Jiangsu Provincial government, Nantong, and Huzhou. The objective is to examine how and why Nantong officials created a virtual replica of the Jiangsu provincial policy, while Huzhou officials transformed the original Wuxi model to form their unique river chief. To do this, we undertook an extensive review of the core documents related to the river chief systems in Nantong and Huzhou, which led to a series of interviews, confirming our understanding of the procedures and outcomes of the transfer process. The result demonstrated the importance of motivation, structural context, and the ability to engage in re-engineering in policy transfer to understand the outcomes of the transfer process. As such, this study demonstrates, unlike much of the existing literature, that these aspects are worth further study when investigating the policy transfer process.

Agricultural productivity remains a fundamental concern for farmers and agricultural scientists. Today, global food security is increasingly threatened by environmental challenges and a rapidly growing population. Environmental stressors, such as salinity, drought, heavy metals, ozone, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides have increased crop yield losses. Various agricultural management practices and techniques are being employed to reduce yield loss and minimize environmental impact on plants. Among these, the application of nanoparticles, such as nanofertilizers, nanoinsecticides, nanofungicides, and nanosensors, has emerged as a promising approach for achieving agricultural sustainability, particularly in pest and soil nutrient management. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of zinc oxide (ZnO) and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles on the chickpeas cultivar. Two sets of experiments were conducted: seed germination (Petri dishes) and a field experiment analyzing various physiological, morphological, and biomass parameters. In the seed germination experiment, TiO₂ nanoparticles were more effective than ZnO nanoparticles, achieving a 100% germination rate at 48 h. Furthermore, in the field experiment, the biomass of the selected cultivar was higher at a 50 parts/million (ppm) nanoparticle concentration compared to 25 ppm. Conclusively, the application of both nanoparticles showed a positive impact on seed germination and plant growth. The nanoparticles hold significant potential for future agricultural applications, offering innovative solutions for agricultural yield and environmental sustainability by enhancing nutrient delivery, soil health, and pest control. Therefore, this study will be helpful for farmers and scientists seeking to harness the potential of nanomaterials for sustainable agricultural production.

Amid growing global challenges such as population growth, climate change, and limited natural resources, the need for sustainable farming systems to ensure food security and environmental conservation has become increasingly critical. This study - conducted in the forest zones of Ghana during the major and minor cropping seasons of 2023 - evaluates the effects of integrating Cajanus cajan (also known as pigeon pea), a leguminous shrub, into a maize cropping system. This maize-pigeon pea (MPP) intercropping approach is part of an innovative integrated soil fertility management strategy aimed at improving maize yield, farm profitability, and climate resilience of smallholder farmers. A split-plot experimental design was employed, with the cropping systems - MPP intercrop and sole maize - as main plots, and varying recommended inorganic fertilizer (full rate [FR], half rate [HR], and a no-fertilizer control) as subplots. The findings revealed a significant association between the MPP intercropping system and the rate of inorganic fertilizer application on maize growth and yield, with improved and comparable maize productivity observed when either the HR or FR fertilizer was applied. This suggests that integrating pigeon peas and their biomass could reduce the recommended fertilizer rate by half, thereby enhancing farmers’ income and profitability while promoting sustainable maize production amid climate change. Future research should explore long-term soil fertility dynamics and broader agroecological applications.

Naturally occurring and anthropogenic sources, such as ore (minerals), waste disposal, and mine tailings, can introduce titanium (Ti) into both soils and aquatic environments. Ti is the ninth most abundant element in nature (0.63% w/w) and is found in igneous rocks. Major Ti-bearing minerals include rutile, brookite, anatase, ilmenite, and titanite. Among Ti compounds, Ti dioxide (TiO₂) is of particular environmental and health concern. It is classified as potentially carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Ti is increasingly used in aviation and aerospace fields and has important biomedical applications, including in joint replacements and dental implants. TiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) are one of the most important Ti compounds, entering the environment through various pathways, including biosolid applications, and have been shown to cause deleterious effects on soil microorganisms and, consequently, on soil functioning and health. Excessive Ti uptake can cause toxicity in plants, soil microorganisms, aquatic organisms, animals, and humans. Dust inhalation of TiO₂ NPs by humans may cause chest pain, coughing, and breathing difficulty, while dermal contact may cause irritation. To control the main anthropogenic input sources of Ti in the environment, it is critical to develop affordable technologies for Ti removal during wastewater treatment. This comprehensive review examines the presence, sources, biogeochemical behavior, and potential risks of Ti in the environment and provides an in-depth outline of the network visualization bibliography to graphically represent the relationships between key publications, research areas, and authors. Additionally, future research priorities are suggested for the sustainable management of Ti contamination.

With increasing interest in direct ammonia fuel cells, designing and developing high-activity electrocatalysts for the electrochemical ammonia oxidation reaction has become a critical research focus. In this work, a nickel foam-supported nickel-cobalt layered double hydroxide/platinum composite (Pt-NiCo-LDH) was synthesized through electrochemical deposition and displacement reactions for enhanced electrocatalytic activity. Key synthesis parameters, including reaction temperature and chloroplatinic acid hexahydrate (H₂PtCl₆.6H₂O) concentration, were systematically optimized. Electrochemical characterization using cyclic voltammetry revealed that the optimal catalyst - synthesized in a solution containing 450 μL deionized water and 1,050 μL 0.1 moL/L H₂PtCl₆·6H₂O at 20°C for 8 h - showed an oxidation peak current of 154.60 mA and a low onset potential of −0.38 V (versus mercury/mercury oxide), indicating exceptional catalytic activity. The support of nickel foam provided favorable conditions to deposit NiCo-LDH nanowires, providing sites for the growth of platinum nanoparticles, thus promoting the catalytic activity of the Pt-(NiCo-LDH) electrocatalyst.

Air pollution represents a critical dimension of environmental contamination and poses severe risks to human health and ecological systems. While environmental pollution can manifest in various forms—such as air, water, and soil pollution—air pollution remains the most pervasive and damaging. Rapid industrialization and the proliferation of pollution-intensive technologies have significantly contributed to the degradation of air quality. This review provides an overview of existing research focused on strategies for controlling and mitigating air pollution. Emphasis is placed on technological interventions, regulatory measures, and innovative approaches being explored to reduce airborne pollutants. The study also addresses current research gaps and proposes future approaches for air pollution mitigation measures.

The persistent accumulation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) waste in the environment has necessitated the exploration of eco-friendly degradation methods. This study aimed to degrade LDPE films using lipase (Lip) and laccase (Lac) enzymes obtained from Aspergillus flavus. The effects of enzyme concentration and LDPE particle size on the degradation rate were examined. LDPE samples were prepared in three particle sizes: 0.5, 1, and 2 cm. These samples were incubated with Lip, Lac, and a combination of both enzymes (Lip-Lac) at two concentration levels: 50% and 100% (v/v). The degradation process or extent of degradation was monitored over 10 and 30 days by analyzing percentage weight loss and observing surface morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results indicated that the highest degradation occurred in the Lip-Lac system with 0.5 cm particles at 100% enzyme concentration, yielding a weight loss of 23.81% after 30 days, thereby suggesting that the blend performed better than the single enzyme system. SEM analysis confirmed extensive surface erosion and cracking in smaller particles treated at higher enzyme concentrations. This study also demonstrated that both enzyme concentration and LDPE particle size significantly influence biodegradation efficiency. Taken together, the bifunctional enzyme system is an efficient treatment method for enhancing the degradation process of plastics such as LDPE.

Two prominent chlorination disinfection byproducts (DBPs)—trihalomethanes and trihaloacetic acids—are formed in drinking water when chlorine reacts with other constituents. The production of these DBPs has emerged as a significant public health concern. At the same time, disinfection of potable water remains essential as a safety measure to effectively combat waterborne diseases by eliminating pathogenic microorganisms. To regulate the formation of these two major DBPs in the water distribution network, one of the key factors is the nature of the pipe material used, along with the implementation of cost-effective abatement techniques. This study compared two types of potable water supply pipe materials—galvanized iron and high-density polythene pipes—for their role in the production of chlorine DBPs. Both materials showed different weightage ratios of DBP formation when chlorinated water came into contact with the inner surface of distribution pipes. Two filtration setups, i.e., granular activated carbon (GAC) and sand filtration media, were evaluated as abatement techniques for removing DBPs, depending on the water source and pipe material used. The findings contribute to understanding the differences in the generation of major DBP species under known supply media, as well as the removal efficiency of DBP precursors by GAC and sand filtration. Overall, the results reveal that GAC and sand filtration media can serve as low-cost and sustainable alternatives to costly, complex filtration membranes for DBP removal.

Existing literature recognizes the role of indigenous practices in building resilience to climate change, yet few empirical studies have examined crop- and location-specific strategies. This research assessed that gap by assessing the indigenous adaptation practices of sweet potato farmers in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Indigenous practices are defined as traditional farming approaches, skills, and strategies passed down through generations within a specific locality or culture. Data were collected through a multistage sampling procedure and analyzed using mean scores, percentages, and probit regression analysis. Results showed that most sweet potato farmers widely adopted indigenous practices such as changing planting dates (x̄ score = 3.5), crop rotation (x̄ score = 3.2), mixed farming (x̄ score = 3.4), and crop diversification (x̄ score = 3.1). The challenges associated with the utilization of indigenous practices included a lack of real-time and accurate information (74%), limited knowledge of potentially feasible options (79%), and competing resource use (87%). Age (β = 0.326) positively influenced the extent of indigenous practice use, while distance to farm (β = −0.101), religion (β = −0.213), and membership in cooperative associations (β = −0.652) had negative effects. Overall, sweet potato farmers extensively employed indigenous practices as part of their strategies for adapting to climate change. Christian organizations and cooperative associations should be encouraged to support the adoption of these strategies among farmers. Furthermore, the study recommends that agricultural credits and loans be provided through the national agricultural bank to help farmers overcome financial constraints in implementing indigenous climate change adaptation practices.

One of the most pressing global challenges in conventional agriculture is climate change, which adversely affects crop productivity. Global food security is increasingly threatened by shifting climate patterns, depleting groundwater levels, and rapid urbanization. In this context, soilless hydroponics cultivation offers a sustainable solution, requiring minimal inputs, minimizing pesticide and agrochemical use, and enabling resource-efficient water management. This approach allows for climate-resilient production with precisely controlled yields under indoor farming conditions. Capsicum annuum (chili), a widely consumed food crop with high nutraceutical value, faces serious cultivation threats due to unpredictable weather fluctuations. This study evaluates the growth performance of C. annuum under a low-cost, water-efficient hydroponic system designed for indoor cultivation, utilizing repurposed mineral water bottles as growing units. A comparative assessment between soilless hydroponics and conventional soil-based cultivation was conducted to determine the potential of this system under controlled indoor conditions. The findings indicate that plant growth characteristics, yield performance, and nutraceutical quality were enhanced in the low-cost, non-circulating hydroponic setup. Key physiological parameters, including reactive oxygen species generation and antioxidant activity, were systematically measured. Overall, the results demonstrate that this sustainable hydroponic approach not only contributes to water-efficient, climate-resilient, and space-saving household chili production but also addresses solid waste management by repurposing discarded plastic bottles, thereby aligning with borader environmental sustainability goals.