Rapid urbanization in Lagos, Nigeria, has intensified population density and altered local microclimates, exposing residents to increased risks of heat stress. As one of Africa’s largest megacities, Lagos faces challenges in balancing urban growth with environmental sustainability. This study investigates the spatiotemporal characteristics of heat stress vulnerability and the moderating effects of urban green spaces (UGSs) across 11 local government areas (LGAs) in Lagos, Nigeria. Land surface temperature (LST) for 2013, derived from Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager imagery, was analyzed alongside 2013 population statistics and household questionnaire data collected from residents nearest to 15 observation sites. Each LGA was represented as a polygon feature in ArcGIS. Exposure indicators included LST, population density, and LST hotspot clusters; sensitivity indicators included vulnerable age groups (0-4 and 65+ years), low educational attainment, and income classes; and adaptive-capacity indicators included ownership of air conditioners and fans, proximity to water bodies, and proximity to grass or green spaces. Results reveal five population density categories across the metropolis. Yaba exhibits extremely high density (93,320-339,100 persons/km²), while areas such as Abule-Egba, Mushin, Ilupeju, and Shomolu fall within high to moderately high density ranges. LST hotspot analysis indicates that Amuwo-Odofin, Isolo, Yaba, Ilupeju, Shomolu, Alagbado, and Ikotun are statistically significant hotspot locations at the 95-99% confidence level. Conversely, Oko-Afo, Ajangbadi, City Hall, Marina market, and Abule-Egba were not classified as hotspots due to inherent adaptive capacities, while Oshodi and Ejigbo emerged as cold spots. Adaptation measures vary across the metropolis. Ownership of air conditioners and fans, along with proximity to vegetation and water bodies, were the dominant strategies for mitigating heat exposure. The study underscores the critical role of UGSs in reducing heat stress vulnerability and highlights the need for strategic urban planning interventions to enhance adaptive capacity in Lagos.

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as contaminants of growing concern due to their widespread distribution, high mobility, and ability to act as vectors for pollutants in marine ecosystems. This review examines MP contamination in the Arabian Gulf, one of the world’s most environmentally vulnerable semi-enclosed seas. The Gulf’s extreme conditions, including high salinity, elevated temperatures, restricted water circulation, and intensive coastal development, promote MP accumulation and biological exposure, increasing potential risks to marine organisms, aquaculture, and human health. Conventional detection and quantification techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, as well as pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, are critically assessed with emphasis on limitations related to size detection thresholds, analytical throughput, and processing efficiency. The review highlights artificial intelligence (AI) as a transformative approach for MP analysis. Machine-learning algorithms applied to FTIR and Raman spectral data improve polymer classification accuracy, whereas computer-vision models such as U-Net and Mask R-convolutional neural network enable automated particle segmentation and sizing. These tools reduce manual bias, enhance reproducibility, and facilitate high-throughput analysis across laboratories. Meanwhile, eco-friendly bioremediation strategies are reviewed. Microorganisms, algae, and aquatic plants have demonstrated the ability to adsorb, colonize, or partially degrade MPs, offering sustainable alternatives to conventional remediation methods. However, the effectiveness of these biological approaches under the harsh environmental conditions of the Arabian Gulf remains limited. Finally, this review proposes a Gulf-specific roadmap that includes standardized monitoring protocols and shared spectral and image databases to support AI-based detection, interlaboratory proficiency testing, and pilot-scale bioremediation studies tailored to regional conditions.

Urbanization is occurring on a large scale at an unprecedented pace. In this context, algal consortia represent a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for domestic wastewater remediation. This review focuses on mixed algal consortia as a treatment approach for domestic wastewater containing organic and inorganic pollutants, including nitrogen, phosphorus, heavy metals, and other chemicals. These consortia demonstrate enhanced pollutant removal efficiencies through synergistic biosorption, bioaccumulation, and biodegradation mediated by multiple algal species. Indeed, algal biomass can be valorized in biorefineries to produce a range of resources, including biofuels, biopolymers, and organic phyco-fertilizers, thereby advancing the circular bioeconomy. Overall, this review positions algal consortia as a potentially low-cost platform that integrates wastewater remediation with bioresource recovery, promoting the transformation of urban ecosystems toward a greener, more resilient future.

The development of efficient and chemically stable photocatalysts with improved charge separation is critical for the remediation of dye-contaminated wastewater. In this study, graphene oxide-magnesium oxide (GO/MgO) nanocomposites with ultralow GO loadings (0-0.05 wt.%) were synthesized through a co-precipitation route and evaluated for ultraviolet (UV)-driven methylene blue (MB) degradation. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results were consistent with the retention of the cubic MgO phase (JCPDS 45-0946) with crystallite refinement from 20.26 to 13.26 nm, while the slight peak-position variations were more consistent with interfacial strain than definitive lattice substitution. UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra revealed a red shift and bandgap reduction from 5.11 to 4.71 eV. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectra showed GO-related functional signatures and a decrease in the I_D/I_G ratio (0.886 → 0.830), suggesting strengthened interfacial interactions with increasing GO loading. The optimized 0.05 wt.% GO/MgO sample achieved 91.6% MB degradation within 180 min and exhibited a 5.24-fold enhancement in the apparent pseudo-first-order rate constant (k = 0.00290 min⁻¹) relative to pristine MgO (0.01518 min⁻¹). Photocatalytic efficiency was maximized at pH 7-9 with a catalyst dosage of 0.75 g L⁻¹, and post-reaction XRD/FTIR analysis indicated good structural stability. The enhancement is attributed to crystallite refinement and GO-MgO interfacial charge-transfer pathways inferred from consistent structural/optical-kinetic correlations.

The contamination of water resources by pathogenic microorganisms remains a critical global challenge, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries. Conventional water treatment technologies, such as chlorination and filtration, often face drawbacks, including the formation of harmful byproducts and high operational costs. The increasing demand for efficient, sustainable, and scalable solutions necessitates the exploration of advanced materials for water disinfection. This study investigates the potential of silver-iron (Ag-Fe)-modified biochar as a photocatalyst under visible light to achieve high microbial inactivation. The material demonstrates dual functionality through the antibacterial effects of Ag and the photocatalytic activity of Fe, integrated within a renewable biochar. Elemental composition analysis shows that a composition of 4.3 wt% Ag and 30.0 wt% Fe enhances antimicrobial performance. Experimental results indicate bacterial inactivation under visible light conditions. Ag-Fe-modified biochar presents a potential alternative to conventional disinfection methods.

Constructed wetlands are engineered ecosystems composed of substrates, vegetation, and microorganisms that serve as a sustainable alternative for wastewater treatment. Despite their benefits, greenhouse gas emissions continue to pose a challenge. Consequently, increasing research efforts focus on developing cleaner strategies to reduce overall global warming potential while enhancing carbon sequestration. This perspective outlines the current status of carbon sequestration and wastewater treatment, highlighting the close coupling between pollutant removal and carbon cycling. It also describes existing limitations and explores future prospects.