Deciphering tectono-climatic-lithological and other controls over landscape evolution at variable spa-tiotemporal scales is paramount in natural resources management and development. We have systemat-ically documented and analysed selected critical quantitative morphometric data, namely, asymmetry factor, hypsometric integral, hypsometric curve, drainage divide migration and normalised steepness index, in addition to the assessment of longitudinal profiles and knickpoints, for a unique morphological river basin, the Vaigai River Basin, located in southern India. The spatial variability of various controls of geomorphological characteristics of the basin is interpreted using these morphometric parameters and field data. Notable results include, predominance of a concave-up nature of the majority of the sub-basins, occurrence of a distinct convex zone in the upper part and a distinctly concave zone in the lower part of the basin, a range of symmetric to asymmetric topographic nature with very prominent asymme-try in the middle of the basin, highest normalised channel steepness in the northernmost sub-basin and insignificant and lesser steepness in the majority of the basin, evidence of north-easterly migration of drainage divides within the river basin, manifested by sub-basin boundaries and the alignment of the majority of the knickpoints parallel to the NE-SW trending Karur-Kambam-Painavu-Thrissur shear zone. The results cumulatively indicate that the Vaigai River that runs on an antecedent basin continues evolv-ing, principally under the controls of regional Precambrian structures. Nevertheless, the evolution has been episodic and spatially varied. The resurgent tectonic influence is more pronounced in the northern and north-western parts of the basin, while the river capture and drainage divide migration are pro-nounced in the northeastern part, signifying the collective influence of tectonics and climate. On the con-trary, the middle and lower reaches of the basin lack a soil-sediment-weathered zone, signifying the prevalence of an intense erosional phase of the river. This information, together with previously docu-mented catastrophic flooding events and sediment accumulation, categorise the river basin as episodi-cally active, and in a transient phase of evolution. While providing affirmative evidence for the previous regional geomorphological model, the interpretation of the continuum of inherited Precambrian structures in the present study implies that there are subtle spatial differences of lithological-climatological and structural controls within and among each of the sub-basins that need to be considered for any natural resources management at local to regional scales.

An accurate chrono-stratigraphy of aeolian sediments is crucial for understanding East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM) variability. However, there are few studies of EASM variability recorded in aeolian sed-iments on the northeastern margin of the Tibetan Plateau, especially high-resolution aeolian sedimentary sequences spanning the period of 15-10 Ma. We studied an aeolian red clay section (89.1 m) with interbedded fluvial sediments, in the Jianzha Basin, northeastern Tibetan Plateau, using the integration of magneto stratigraphy, cyclo-stratigraphy, and detrital zircon provenance analysis. Magneto stratigra-phy revealed 12 normal and 11 reverse polarity zones that are well correlated with chrons C5n.2n to C5Bn.2n of the Geomagnetic Polarity Time Scale (GPTS); this constrains the age of the section to the Middle Miocene. Subsequently, we use the frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility as an EASM proxy, combined with spectral analysis in the depth domain, to identify Earth orbital periodicities. Gaussian band-pass filtering enabled us to extract the 405-kyr eccentricity signal, which provided a high-resolution astronomical time scale for the interval of 15.231-10.439 Ma. Detrital zircon U-Pb prove-nance tracing and sediment accumulation rate analysis revealed a provenance shift between 14.08 Ma and 10.2 Ma, which we attribute to the rapid uplift of the West Qinling Mountains at ∼ 13-12 Ma. The relationship between the variation of monsoon proxy indicators in the section and the global marine oxy-gen isotope (d¹⁸O) record indicates that EASM evolution during the Middle Miocene was primarily a response to global temperature changes. On an orbital time scale, the frequency-dependent magnetic susceptibility record shows a significant long-eccentricity (∼405 kyr) periodicity component, indicating that EASM variations during the Middle Miocene were forced mainly by eccentricity. We conclude that a combination of eccentricity-modulated low-latitude summer insolation and Antarctic Ice Sheet fluctu-ations drove the eccentricity-paced precipitation variability on the northeastern Tibetan Plateau during the Middle Miocene.

Policies encouraging green energy adoption promote environmental sustainability, particularly in devel-oping countries where the remittances boost household consumption. This research aims to empirically examine the impact of green energy, output, uncertainty, remittances, and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on the ecological footprint in Ecuador during 1990-2023. The research contributes to the green energy-environmental sustainability nexus debate by capturing the effect of external and internal shocks in the series and assessing the time-frequency dimension. This research is pioneering in examining the causal relationship between green energy, the uncertainty index, and the ecological footprint using com-bined cointegration and the multiple wavelet approach in the context of a remittance-dependent coun-try. Notably, cointegration techniques with structural breaks, long-run elasticities using Dynamic Ordinary Least Square (DOLS), Fully Modified Ordinary Least Square (FMOLS), and Canonical Cointegrating Regression (CCR) models, partial and multiple wavelet analysis, and Fourier causality are used for estimation purposes. Accordingly, the results confirm cointegrating relationships in the presence of structural breaks among green energy, GDP, uncertainty, remittances, FDI, and environmental sustain-ability. Besides, it is found that output and uncertainty increase the ecological footprint, while remit-tances, FDI, and green energy reduce it. Hence, policymakers should consider remittances, FDI, and green energy as mechanisms to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda so that environ-mental sustainability can be promoted in Ecuador.

Microbially mediated carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S) metabolism are core biogeochemical drivers affecting arsenic (As) mobilization and transformation that regulate the formation of high-arsenic groundwater globally. This study determined the microbial molecular mechanisms driving As mobility via coupled C-N-S cycles in the Kuitun River Basin (Xinjiang, China). Metagenomic and geochemical analyses of high-As (HA; >10 μg/L, n = 5) and low-As (LA; ≤10 μg/L, n = 6) samples revealed significant microbial community divergence (analysis of similarities R = 0.67, P = 0.003). Key differential genera included HA-enriched Candidatus Kuenenia and Sulfuritalea as well as the LA-enriched Sphingobium and Novosphingobium. Key functional genes exhibited contrasting As correlations, with negative correlations (katE, cynT, ncd2, ssuABC, and dmdC) in LA-dominant Rhodopseudomonas/Hydrogenophaga/Acinetobacter promoting As³⁺ oxidation, competitive inhibition of As⁵⁺ reduction, and As₂S₃ precipitation; positive correlations (ACO, korA, hao, psrA) in HA-associated Candidatus Kuenenia and Thiobacillus enhanced As⁵⁺ reduction, Fe/Mn oxide dissolution, and thioarsenate formation. Rhodopseudomonas in unconfined aquifers demonstrated a synergistic C-N-S network (katE-ncd2-ssuABC) for efficient As immobilization. These findings enhance the understanding of microbially driven As biogeochemical cycles and provide a theoretical foundation for developing in situ remediation technologies based on microbial metabolic regulation.

The modern Earth’s crust is predominantly preserved in continents, marking a significant shift from early Earth when oceanic crust was far more dominant. The growth of continental crust, composed largely of felsic rocks, began ∼4 billion years ago in the Archean eon. The origins of these felsic rocks and thus the mechanism behind continental crust formation remains debatable, with contrasting tectonic regimes proposed for the Archean. Our new numerical modeling of intraoceanic plate convergence at elevated mantle potential temperatures (150‒200 °C higher than present day) corresponding to the early Earth shows a shallow-dipping (flat) regime of subduction and voluminous felsic magmatism (plutonic and related volcanic) forming a thin felsic crust on top of the overriding oceanic plate. This is in strong contrast to the modern deep and steep subduction regime, which results in notably less generation of both basaltic and felsic magmas. Further modeling shows that during subsequent flat subduction of oceanic crust containing thin felsic domains, these buoyant crustal segments detach from the shallow slab portions. They rise as diapirs through the serpentinised mantle wedge, thereby forming a thick nucleus of continental crust within the oceanic crust of the upper plate. The modeled migration of felsic melts and rocks through the mantle wedge is in agreement with the presence of Precambrian sanukitoids and to some extent by Mg, Ni, and Cr enrichment in rocks from tonalite-trondhjemite-granodiorite (TTG) suites. Therefore, we conclude that shallow Precambrian subduction likely contributed notably to the formation and recycling of continental crust in Earth’s early history.

This study examines the critical factors influencing the adoption of modern renewable energy in selected APEC countries from 1997 to 2023, with a focus on their implications for sustainable development and environmental sustainability. Using dynamic panel data estimation techniques (Arellano-Bond and system dynamic panel-data estimation), we analyze the interplay between energy intensity, world energy balances, economic globalization, and the shadow economy in shaping the share of modern renewables in total final energy consumption. Our results indicate that higher energy intensity reduces renewable energy adoption, reflecting systemic challenges in integrating clean energy into high-demand systems. Conversely, world energy balances and economic globalization enhance renewable energy penetration, driven by decarbonization policies, technological advancements, and cross-border collaboration. Surprisingly, the shadow economy also plays a positive role, suggesting that informal sector activities may facilitate small-scale renewable energy investments. From a sustainability perspective, these findings underscore the need for APEC economies to prioritize energy efficiency, strengthen international cooperation, and implement inclusive policies that support renewable energy transitions. By addressing structural barriers and leveraging globalization, APEC nations can accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Policymakers are encouraged to design targeted interventions, including green financing mechanisms, technology transfer programs, and regulatory incentives, to align economic growth with long-term environmental sustainability.

Extreme drought poses a significant threat to humanity. In the summer of 2022, the world experienced the worst drought in recent years, with a precipitation deficit and an abnormal high temperature, profoundly affecting human life and the aquatic environment. However, the drought influence on large freshwater lakes remains unclear. In this study, we selected China’s largest freshwater lake (Poyang Lake) as the research object and investigated the lake water area, quantity, lake morphology and water quality in 2018 (normal season) and 2022 (extreme drought period). Results showed that standardized precipitation index (SPI), standardized runoff index (SRI) and standardized precipitation-evapotranspiration index (SPEI) reached moderate to severe drought in the summer of 2022. From 2018 to 2022, lake water area decreased (1789.62 km²), water quantity reduced (15.40 × 10⁹ m³) and lake shoreline decreased (2923.70 km). The shoreline development index, size ratio and energy factor decreased by 4.87, 198.53 m and 963.60, specifically. The dynamic ratio, relative depth and Schindler’s ratio increased by 1457.10, 0.04 and 13.48 m⁻¹, respectively. The water chemical indicators varied significantly in two years and the water hydrochemical types changed from SO₄·Cl − Ca·Mg type and HCO₃ − Ca·Mg type to SO₄·Cl − Ca·Mg type from 2018 to 2022. Water-rock interaction, alternating cation adsorption and anthropogenic influence on water quality represented different patterns in two periods. Our findings demonstrate significant differences in water resources and quality between common and extreme drought conditions in China’s largest fresh water lake, which can inform research on climate change effects on international large freshwater lakes.

Warming climate drives permafrost degradation and forms serious thermokarst disturbances, with significant impacts on geomorphology, hydrology, and ecological processes. However, the long-term monitoring of thermokarst disturbances and their next development remains a challenge across the circumpolar permafrost regions. Here, we calculate six spectral indices from Landsat images to represent greenness, wetness, and brightness, quantifying the spatiotemporal characteristics of thermokarst landscape dynamics and further revealing their development with a warming climate. Additionally, DNMI, NDWI, and NDVI are selected to verify the occurrence and severity of retrogressive thaw slumps, thermokarst lake expansion, and drainage by the LandTrendr algorithm on the Google Earth Engine platform. Three major types of thermokarst events show a consistent disturbance year, correlating with the summer temperature increase point around 2000. Their correlation analysis also reveals that the subsequent landscape development of thermokarst disturbances is related to the warming context, showing vegetation greening and soil wetting trends. These findings highlight the dynamic characteristics of thermokarst disturbances from 1990 to 2023, providing a comprehensive understanding of thermokarst development under a changing climate.

The temperature-pressure fields within hydrocarbon-bearing basins are key geological factors controlling hydrocarbon generation, migration, and accumulation. In this study, we focus on the Qingshankou Formation in the northern part of the central depression of the Songliao Basin, China. A multi-parameter weighted evaluation model was created using present temperature-pressure field characteristics, with formation temperature-pressure as core variables, to evaluate shale oil resource potential. In addition, we explored the control mechanisms of temperature-pressure evolution during geological history on shale oil accumulation and further assessed the applicability of the proposed method. Our results show that the geothermal gradient of the Qingshankou Formation decreases from Member 1 to Member 3 (3.84 °C/100 m, 2.93 °C/100 m, and 2.49 °C/100 m, respectively). High-temperature zones are widely distributed in the Gulong sag, with the average temperature of the Gulong shale exceeding 95 °C and reaching an average of approximately 115 °C. Overpressure in the Qingshankou Formation exhibits a west-high to east-low trend. The overpressure zones of the Gulong shale are mainly concentrated in the Qijia-Gulong and Sanzhao sag, with average pressure coefficients of 1.52 and 1.36, respectively. The Opc model identified Class I and II favorable zones, mainly located in the central and southern parts of the Gulong Sag, as well as the central and southwestern Sanzhao Sag, with estimated shale oil resources of 7×10⁸ tons and 17.2×10⁸ tons, respectively. Evolutionary profiles from representative wells indicate that elevated temperatures enhance organic matter maturation and light oil generation, improving shale oil mobility, while overpressure suppresses hydrocarbon dissipation and provides a sufficient driving force for oil production. This study demonstrates that present-day temperature-pressure fields effectively reflect the evolution trends of paleo-thermal and pressure regimes. The proposed evaluation method shows strong applicability and scalability, offering a new technical framework and theoretical foundation for the exploration of unconventional hydrocarbon resources.

Understanding shale oil occurrence and mobility is essential for evaluating resource potential and optimizing exploration in lacustrine shale systems. This study investigates the Paleogene Kongdian Formation in the Bohai Bay Basin, integrating organic geochemistry, mineralogical analysis, scanning electron microscopy, solvent extraction, multi-step Rock-Eval pyrolysis, and 2-D NMR to characterize shale oil occurrence states and mobility mechanisms in brittle mineral-enriched reservoirs. Results indicate that shale oil mainly occurs in free and adsorbed states within interparticle pores, dissolution pores, microfractures, and organic pores, with most retained oil hosted in nanopores smaller than 200 nm. Quantitative analyses show that siliceous and calcareous shales possess higher movable oil ratios than clay-rich counterparts, primarily due to their rigid mineral frameworks that resist compaction and preserve interparticle and intragranular pores. These brittle-rich lithofacies exhibit broader pore size distributions, enhanced connectivity, and reduced adsorption affinity, facilitating more efficient oil accumulation and displacement. In contrast, micropore-dominated, clay-rich shales exhibit strong adsorption and limited pore continuity, which hinder hydrocarbon mobility. Appropriate TOC levels (2.0-4.5 wt.%) favor shale oil mobility, while excessive organic content increases adsorption, reducing the proportion of free oil. Among various geological factors, brittle mineral content and thermal maturity play the dominant roles in controlling shale oil mobility, as they fundamentally shape pore structure and fluid properties. In combination with organic matter abundance and sedimentary features, these factors jointly govern pore network evolution and hydrocarbon occurrence states, thereby determining shale oil enrichment and extractability. These findings enhance the understanding of shale oil enrichment processes and provide a scientific basis for identifying sweet spots and optimizing development strategies in lacustrine shale reservoirs.

Investigating terrestrial response to typical greenhouse periods is essential to understand past and present climate-carbon-cycle interactions. The Cretaceous climate transition is thought to be related to carbon cycles, yet the role of lacustrine systems in modulating global carbon-climate feedback remains poorly constrained. Here, we present a high-resolution biogeochemical record from an Aptian-Albian paleolake in northwestern China, integrating biomarkers, nitrogen isotopes, and elemental proxies. We reveal that warm-humid climates during the early Aptian amplified lacustrine organic carbon burial via intensified denitrification, methane cycling, and nutrient fluxes, potentially reinforcing oceanic anoxic event 1a (OAE1a) hyperthermal conditions through N₂O/CH₄ emissions. Subsequent nitrogen limitation triggered cyanobacterial dominance, sustaining carbon sequestration under moderate weathering and contributing to cooling the late Aptian climate. A transient early Albian warming phase shifted the nitrogen pool towards NH₄⁺ and favored the bloom of eukaryotic algae, aligning with global OAE1b carbon burial and serving as one of the contributors to the late early Albian cooling climate. These dynamics demonstrate that paleolakes acted as both carbon sinks and greenhouse gas sources, exerting a critical but previously overlooked feedback on Cretaceous climate oscillations. Our findings highlight the dual role of lacustrine systems in past carbon cycle perturbations, offering insights for refining the relationships between the carbon cycle and climate changes in the Cretaceous.

Carbonaceous aerosols significantly impact air quality, human health and climate change, yet their concentration levels and influencing factors exhibit significant regional variability. This study examined the concentration levels and temporal variations of carbonaceous aerosols in Qingdao, a typical coastal city in China, using a year-long, high-time-resolution dataset of organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC) measurements. The impacts of meteorological conditions, primary emissions, atmospheric oxidants, and sea-land breezes were systematically analyzed by employing an interpretable machine learning model. The results revealed that atmospheric OC and EC concentration levels were relatively low in Qingdao, but secondary organic carbon (SOC) accounted for 43% of OC, emphasizing the substantial influence of secondary sources. SOC concentrations peaked in the evening, whereas primary organic carbon (POC) and EC concentrations peaked during morning rush hours. The elevated carbonaceous aerosol concentration observed in winter likely resulted from enhanced primary emissions coupled with unfavorable dispersion conditions, whereas intensive photochemical activities during summer facilitated SOC formation. Higher SOC levels were observed during sea-land breeze days than non-sea-land breeze days. The machine learning model indicated that atmospheric oxidants played an important role in SOC formation during sea-land breeze days, while combustion related emissions may be the key factor on non-sea-land breeze days. Furthermore, SOC levels were higher under land breezes compared to sea breezes, likely due to enhanced primary emissions from terrestrial sources coupled with confined pollutant dispersion. These findings revealed complex emission-meteorology-chemistry interactions affecting coastal air quality, informing targeted air pollution mitigation strategies.

The eight Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to resources (2, 6, 7), economy (8, 9), and environment (12, 13, 15), collectively known as REE, form the core of the human-nature system. Understanding their complex interactions is crucial for identifying transformative and effective governance actions. However, the causal mechanisms underlying the REE-related SDGs remain elusive. We used expert elicitation to assess weighted, directed interactions among 69 targets of these SDGs and applied network analysis and machine learning to identify their higher-order impacts, capacity to maintain network robustness, community structures, similarities, and systemic and structural roles. Additionally, we used causal emergence analysis and link prediction to examine potential characteristics of the causal network at macro and micro scales, respectively. The results indicate that prioritizing target 9.4 (sustainable & clean industries) can accelerate overall SDG progress while enhancing synergies and maintaining systemic resilience. In the macro-network, where causal emergence occurs, macronode E dominated by ecological targets plays the strongest facilitating role. In the micro-network, four predicted links with the highest weights indicate that strengthening scientific research and technological innovation is expected to be a potential focal point for positive impact. However, its possible negative effects warrant careful consideration. Additionally, significant trade-offs may arise between energy development and species conservation in the REE nexus that should be avoided. This study offers new insights into the causal mechanisms and priorities of the SDGs in REE, promoting global human-nature system coupling and accelerating the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

Due to its renewability, zero-emissions, and low production cost, natural hydrogen (H₂) holds considerable potential as a carbon-free energy resource and represents a key focus for enabling energy transition and achieving carbon neutrality. The generation mechanisms and accumulation patterns of H₂ need further investigation, particularly with regard to the sources of H₂ in sedimentary basin. This knowledge gap hinders the exploration and development of H₂ resources. The study reports the concentrations and isotopic compositions of H₂ and hydrocarbons of natural gas in the Sulige gas field. The results suggest that the H₂ content in natural gas can reach up to 22.98%, with H₂ isotope values (δ²H-H₂) ranging from −809 ‰ to −700 ‰. Based on comprehensive analysis of carbon and hydrogen isotopes of hydrocarbons, geological conditions, and hydrogen isotope fractionation mechanisms of H₂, this study reveals that the H₂ in the Upper Paleozoic natural gas is likely derived primarily from organic matter pyrolysis in coal-bearing source rocks, while the H₂ in the Lower Paleozoic natural gas is probably generated mainly through water radiolytic in basement granite and metamorphic rocks. The diffusion fractionation model demonstrates that significant isotopic fractionation occurs during the migration of deep-sourced H₂ to sedimentary reservoirs, resulting in notably depleted δ²H-H₂ values in the Lower Paleozoic natural gas. The H₂ generation through organic matter pyrolysis primarily occurs during the late gas generation stage, with peak production concentrated in the Late Triassic to Early Cretaceous periods. Given the genetic correlation between H₂ and hydrocarbons, the H₂ may accumulate with natural gas in reservoirs. In contrast, H₂ generation through water radiolysis in the study area exhibits multi-source characteristics and prolonged duration, demonstrating significant potential for independent accumulation. This study not only elucidates the generation mechanisms of H₂ but also provides a significant geological case study for understanding the distribution characteristics and resource potential of H₂ in sedimentary basins.

Plate motion directions, and the orientations of rift zones and oceanic spreading ridges, and of transform faults and fracture zones that are perpendicular to these ridges, are generally controlled by tectonic forces such as slab pull, mantle convection, and mantle plumes. Here, it is hypothesized that within the confines of these general orientations, the exact orientations of these structures, and therefore plate motion directions, are partially controlled by suitably oriented sets of steep continental lithospheric discontinuities (CLDs), which work in concert with these larger tectonic forces.

Previously, the observation has been made that oceanic fracture zones are contiguous with CLDs, such as suture zones and other lithospheric fault zones. Based on high-resolution bathymetry, geological and geophysical data, it is demonstrated here that continents have multiple sets of lineaments parallel to such CLDs, or contiguous with CLDs where they occur farther inland and do not reach the ocean. Published analog experiments suggest that the orientations of transform faults and fracture zones are controlled by these CLDs if the angle between the spreading direction and the CLDs is no more than ∼45°. Spreading ridge segments evolve in an orientation perpendicular to these transform faults and fracture zones, so that the spreading direction becomes parallel to the transform faults and fracture zones. The implication is that the exact plate motion directions are controlled by CLDs, if a set of CLDs is orientated at low angle with the spreading direction. When plate motion directions need to change due to tectonic forces, the new hypothesis predicts that the exact directions may be controlled by a different set of suitably orientated CLDs. During later stages of oceanic spreading, the larger tectonic forces such as slab pull, mantle convection, and mantle plumes become increasingly dominant and plate motion directions may no longer be controlled by the CLDs.

While the hypothesis needs further testing, it has potentially far-reaching implications. For example, Euler pole reconstructions are commonly based on small circle patterns formed by fracture zones and transform faults in the oceanic lithosphere. Oceanic crust older than ∼200 Ma is typically destroyed by subduction, and pre-Mesozoic Euler poles can therefore not be reconstructed based on that method. If the hypothesis presented above is correct, the orientations of CLDs and associated lineament sets may be used as proxies for orientations of past transform faults and fracture zones, at least during early oceanic spreading. The locations of past Euler poles may thus be better estimated based on these CLDs and lineaments, and pre-Mesozoic plate tectonic reconstructions may be much improved in deep geologic time.

Compared to typical orogenic gold deposits, the relationship between the host rocks and orogenic gold deposits in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB) appears less pronounced. This study complies a dataset of 97,088 U-Pb and 12,757 Hf isotopic detrital zircon analyses, employing a combination of mapping and statistical analyses techniques, to investigate the connection. Results show that regions with a Th/U ratio below 0.7 and a mantle contribution calculated ranging from 50% to 75% are favorable zones for the localization of orogenic gold deposits. The findings indicate that the presence of monazite, along with a certain input of mantle material into the host rocks, is a favorable factor for the formation of orogenic gold deposits. Moreover, the host rocks of orogenic gold deposits predominantly form in convergent tectonic settings. This study not only reveals the relationship between orogenic gold deposits and host rocks, but also offers valuable exploration implications in CAOB.

The source-transport-sink dynamics of salt lakes are fundamentally tied to resource source and mineralization, which are crucial for sustainable resource development and environmental protection. By integrating published and experimental datasets on lithium (Li) concentrations, Li isotopes, and Li/TDS-Li/Na ratios, this study systematically investigates the characteristics, evolutionary patterns, and driving mechanisms of Li and its isotopes throughout source-transport-sink processes in salt lakes across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The results demonstrate that: (1) Li in salt lakes primarily originates from geothermal fluids, with significant contributions from Li-rich rocks and paleosediments. (2) Li transport mechanisms can be classified into source- and process-control. In source-control systems, Li is largely derived from Li-rich endmembers; although secondary inputs and attenuation occur during transport, the persistently high dissolved Li load governed by the original source retains a diagnostically traceable isotopic composition. This system is marked by high dissolved Li fluxes (>300 l g/L), elevated Li × 10³/TDS ratios (>0.7), and relatively depleted d⁷Li values (1 ‰ to 6 ‰, occasionally as low as − 4.8 ‰ ). In process-control systems, Li mainly comes from silicate weathering within catchments, resulting in lower riverine Li fluxes (20-80 l g/L) that are highly sensitive to environmental conditions, where source signals are frequently overprinted by secondary inputs and adsorption. These systems exhibit lower Li × 10³/TDS ratios (0.05-0.22) and enriched d⁷Li values ranging from 6 ‰ to 18 ‰. (3) The sink evolution of Li and its isotopes is controlled by clay adsorption and evaporite precipitation, closely correlating with developmental phases of salt lake. Clay adsorption causes Li depletion and isotopic fractionation, leading to elevated d⁷Li signatures in the early evolutionary phase. In later phases, evaporate becomes the dominant control on brine Li isotope evolution due to evaporite formed aquicludes, reduced adsorption capacity of ancient clays, and suppression of adsorption under high salinity. (4) This study offers valuable references for understanding Cenozoic marine Li isotope evolution by establishing a source-transport-sink framework within a small sink basin. Tectonic uplift has enhanced continental weathering and physical erosion, increasing supplies of dissolved Li and fresh clay minerals in runoff, while climate change has reduced continental discharge and extended water-rock interaction time. These processes collectively enhance water-rock interactions through increased reactant supply and prolonged reaction duration, elevating riverine d⁷Li fluxes into the ocean and influencing marine Li isotope evolution.

The Cretaceous granitoid magmatism in the Gejiu-Bozhushan-Laojunshan region records tectonic transitions from the Neotethys to the South China Block and is genetically linked to Sn-polymetallic mineralization. However, the tectonic settings of magmatism and metallogeny remain unclear, particularly in the Bozhushan orefield. Integrated whole-rock geochemistry, Sr-Nd-Pb isotopes, zircon U-Pb-Hf-O isotopes, monazite U-Th-Pb-Nd isotopes, apatite U-Pb-REE data from the Bozhushan pluton, and cassiterite U-Pb dating from three Sn-polymetallic deposits are presented to understand the crustal architecture and tectonic-magmatic-metallogeny. The pluton consists of six interdigitated units characterized by high potassic-shoshonitic and peraluminous compositions, which are further subdivided into two magmatic stages: (1) Rim-located granodiorites (Units 1 ‒ 3, 91 ‒ 90 Ma, Stage I): I-type, characterized by the presence of biotite + K-feldspar + plagioclase, and featuring high Sr/Y, (La/Yb)_N, and LREE-enriched apatite. They likely originate from lithospheric mantle melting during eastward Neotethys subduction, which triggered crustal melting and is linked to peripheral Ag-Pb-Zn-W polymetallic mineralization (ca. 91 ‒ 89 Ma, defined as Phase I magmatic-metallogenic event). (2) Core-located high evolved monzogranites (Units 4 ‒ 6, 87 ‒ 86 Ma, Stage II): S-type, containing muscovite + K-feldspar + plagioclase ± tourmaline, with LREE-depleted apatite, higher SiO₂ and Rb/Sr, derived from the low-pressure partial melting of Neoproterozoic biotite-rich metagreywackes in the shallow crust during ongoing Neotethys subduction-induced collision, associated with Sn-dominated mineralization (87 ‒ 80 Ma, defined as Phase II magmatic-metallogenic event). Geochemical and Isotopic trends suggest mantle-crust interaction during Stage I and crustal recycling during Stage II, both driven by the ongoing subduction of Neotethys. This dual-stage magmatism establishes a dynamic model in which tectonic processes control magma sources, isotopic signatures, and metal partitioning, providing key insights into granite-related Sn polymetallic mineralization in the Bozhushan orefield.

The timing, amplitude, and mechanisms of rapid climate changes since the last deglaciation remain elusive in East Asia. In this study, high-resolution beryllium isotope and major element records from the annually laminated sediments of maar lake Xiaolongwan—a small, hydrologically closed basin with homogeneous lithology in northeastern China—offer new insights into East Asian climate variability. Abrupt increases in Al/Mg, Ca/Mg, and Ti/Mg ratios indicate intensified aeolian dust input at the onset of the Bølling-Allerød interstadial and the Early-Mid Holocene, synchronous with enhanced East Asian summer monsoon precipitation. Combined with previous dust provenance analyses, we infer a seasonal pattern of dust transport from the Central Asian deserts by southwesterly winds in spring to early summer, prior to peak monsoon rainfall. The 10 Be/ 9 Be record exhibits sharp declines that correspond closely to the timing of Dansgaard-Oeschger and Bond events in the North Atlantic. Spectral analysis reveals ∼ 1700-yr periodicity in the 10 Be/ 9 Be record, consistent with millennial-scale variability observed in the North Atlantic. These findings highlight a persistent climate teleconnection between East Asia and the North Atlantic and demonstrate that coupled dust and hydroclimate signals in maar lake sediments can reliably track sub-orbital climate variability.

Disordered mackinawite (FeS_m), an initial iron sulfide forming under ambient, anoxic conditions, plays a central role in sedimentary iron and sulfur cycling and may have contributed to early biochemical processes relevant to the origin of life. However, its structural variability complicates the assessments of its geochemical behavior and environmental impacts. Here, we demonstrate that FeS_m undergoes anoxic corrosion at 25 °C, generating H₂ even in the absence of traditional oxidants such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) or elemental sulfur (S⁰). This abiotic H₂ production provides a potential reductant for early Earth carbon fixation and may support modern oligotrophic ecosystems by influencing carbon cycling. The pH-dependent H₂ production kinetics suggests that protons (H⁺) likely act as the primary oxidant in FeS_m corrosion. The formation of Fe(III)-rich surface layers during this process passivates further corrosion and modulates surface reactivity—potentially facilitating the oxidation of H₂S to S⁰ and intermediate species, thus driving FeS_m transformation into greigite (Fe₃S₄) and pyrite (FeS₂). Particle growth mechanisms vary with pH: Ostwald ripening dominates under acidic conditions, while oriented attachment is favored at neutral to alkaline pH. Instead, with prolonged aging, FeS_m becomes stabilized through less-oriented attachment, producing polycrystalline particles. Both surface passivation and particle growth contribute to the resilience and dynamic behavior of FeS_m under diverse geochemical conditions, reinforcing its role in sustaining iron and sulfur biogeochemical cycles. This study offers mechanistic insights into the structural evolution of FeS_m, with implications for both early Earth environments and modern sedimentary systems.

The decay of a mantle plume is characterized by a decline in magmatic activity, localized volcanic pulses, and short-term topographic fluctuations. These processes are better preserved in marine settings than on land, offering a clearer record of surface dynamics. This study examines the decay of the Levant mantle plume during the Albian-Cenomanian by analyzing the effect of recurring volcanism and vertical motions on the volcano-sedimentary stratigraphy exposed in Mt. Carmel, located on the eastern Mediterranean continental margin, a gas giant province. Geological mapping and 40 Ar/39 Ar dating reveal four distinct volcanic pulses (V₁-V₄) between ∼ 99 Ma and 95.4 Ma, each associated with surface uplift followed by subsidence and sedimentation. These cycles suggest pressure accumulation and release, likely driven by residual plume-related magmatic activity rather than regional tectonics. Volcanism, vertical motions, and shallow marine areas created local basins with varying connections to the sea, resulting in diverse depositional environments characterized by lithologies such as chalk, limestone, dolomite, marl, and tuff. The volcanic structures influenced facies changes and contributed to the formation of dolomite in shallow, partially closed marine environments. A final pulse, V₅ at 82 Ma, occurred after 13 Myr of quiescence, marking a shift in the regional tectonic setting. The lack of post-Maastrichtian volcanism and a 25 Myr long period of subsidence indicate plume termination. These findings demonstrate how a decaying plume loses its ability to influence surface dynamics. The Albian-Turonian reefs, situated atop a long-lasting crustal high structural block (swell) at the Arabian platform’s edge, serve as a significant example for analogous worldwide.

Holocene organic carbon (OC) burial in mega-deltas is considered to have played a crucial role in modulating long-term atmospheric CO₂ levels, but this role has likely been significantly altered by human activities during the Anthropocene. The absence of precise estimates for Holocene deltaic OC burial rates hinders a comprehensive understanding of carbon cycle evolution. This study, using data from 50 Holocene boreholes and 216 modern surface sediment samples, examines changes in OC sources and their controlling factors, and quantifies OC burial rates in the Yangtze Delta (YD) from the mid-Holocene to the Anthropocene. The results reveal three distinct stages of OC burial evolution. From 8 ka to 2 ka, the weakening East Asian Summer Monsoon reduced terrestrial OC contributions, but the YD maintained slow progradation and stable OC burial rates ( ∼ 0.79 Mt/yr). After 2 ka, human activities emerged as the dominant driver, triggering a 78% increase in OC burial rates (1.40 - 1.44 Mt/yr). Following the impoundment of the Three Gorges Dam, the YD entered an erosion-driven destruction phase, with OC burial rates declining by 59% compared to pre-dam levels. Accounting for subaqueous delta erosion, the YD has shifted from a net OC burial system to a net OC source, contributing ∼ 0.81 Mt/yr of OC to the Zhejiang-Fujian mud belt. These findings underscore the pivotal role of sediment burial rates in regulating OC sequestration in mega-deltas and highlight the global implications of human-altered sediment dynamics, suggesting that deltas worldwide may similarly transition from positive and negative OC sequestration.

Generative AI (GenAI) and prompt engineering are rapidly advancing in industries such as construction and mining, leading to significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making processes. These technologies are transforming the construction sector by automating tasks and optimizing workflows, thereby enhancing productivity and risk management. This study explores the application of Google’s Gemini AI tool, a notable breakthrough in GenAI, specifically for predictive modeling of slope stability. The Gemini AI tool is utilized within the Python programming language to generate prompts that incorporate key factors influencing slope stability, with the Google Colab interface facilitating prompt generation and testing. Initially, these prompts are employed for data analysis and visualization, followed by their application in both unsupervised and supervised machine learning approaches. The performance evaluation metrics indicate that the integrated approaches, which combine GenAI and prompt engineering, predict slope stability with a high level of accuracy. The model achieved 99% accuracy, with precision, recall, and F₁-scores ranging from 0.98 to 1.00 for both stable and unstable slope classes. This innovative methodology seeks to advance the implementation of GenAI in civil and mining engineering, offering more precise and efficient solutions for managing slope stability and supporting safe, sustainable, and climate-smart mining operations.

Land snail shells preserve stable oxygen and carbon isotope compositions ( d 18 O shell and d 13 C shell ) that offer valuable seasonal to weather-scale records of terrestrial environmental changes. However, the extent to which ontogenetic processes influence these signals remains insufficiently understood. Here, we investigated intra-shell isotopic variations in giant African land snails from laboratory cultured Achatina fulica and field collected Lissachatina fulica from Panzhihua, China. Laboratory experiments show that adult snail exhibits a d 18 O shell enrichment of up to 0.8 ‰, likely driven by internal physiological processes such as biomineralization and metabolism. In addition, d 13 C shell show an enrichment of 1.3 ‰ in subadult and adult shells, potentially associate with increased carbonate ingestion. In natural settings, intra-shell d 18 O shell variations primarily reflects seasonal fluctuation in precipitation d 18 O, with physiological effects exerting only a minor influence. Although d 13 C shell values in wild snails fall within the expected range of C 3 plant-based diets, the potential roles of carbonate ingestion and dietary selectivity should be considered when reconstructing vegetation isotope signatures. These findings establish land snail shells as robust proxies of sub-annual climate variability and offer a modern calibration framework to enhance the use of terrestrial biocarbonates in paleoclimate reconstructions, particularly across monsoonal and moisture-sensitive regions.

Studies quantifying AI’s impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) often rely on proxies that inaccurately reflect AI progress. Moreover, focusing solely on environmental and growth indicators provides an incomplete picture of AI’s overall contribution to the SDGs, as the SDG framework encompasses a broader set of interconnected goals. Therefore, this study unveils the marginal impacts of AI and solar energy (SEN) directly on the SDG Index (SDGI) by using the Kernel-Based Regularized Least Squares (KRLS) machine learning approach for the 10 largest economies from 2000 2022. While the study found an overall positive average marginal impact of AI on the SDG Index, indicating significant progress driven by AI technologies, the analysis across different quantiles revealed variability. Specifically, at the 25th quantile, AI appears to hinder SDG progress. This could be due to negative externalities from AI adoption, like its use in accelerating non-renewable energy production and resource-intensive consumption, or from countries’ insufficient technological application capabilities. However, at higher quantiles (likely representing countries with better SDG achievement and greater AI maturity), the marginal effects of AI become increasingly positive, suggesting its beneficial use in areas that support SDGs. Marginal effects of SEN on SDGI are found to be positive, showing a positive connection between SDGs’ achievements and solar energy adoption. The marginal effects of economic globalization (EGB) and institutional productive capacity (INP) on SDGI are found to be positive. Finally, policies to boost AI and solar energy adoption, as well as exploring potential applications of AI across various sectors for sustainable development, are discussed.

Multiple physicochemical processes involving organic and inorganic components may alter hydrocarbon composition and isotopic signatures, posing a challenge in accurately tracing natural gas accumulation. In contrast, noble gases are chemically inert and highly sensitive to fluid flow processes, offering a powerful tool for precisely tracing natural gas accumulation. By analyzing and modeling noble gas geochemistry data of gas samples from gas fields in the Yinggehai Basin, South China Sea, we constrained fluid flow patterns and traced the natural gas accumulation process. In particular, the low 3He/4He and high 40Ar/36Ar values of gas samples suggested atmospheric-crustal mixing, with the suspected central fault significantly influencing the 40Ar* (* denotes crustal noble gas) proportion and 40Ar/36Ar value in charging fluids. Binary mixing of atmospheric and crustal noble gases elevated the 40Ar*/4He* value in well-preserved gas fields. Diapir activity and/or long-term artificial extraction had likely promoted noble gas leakage which further elevated the 40Ar*/4He* to abnormally high levels. Three key time windows for 4He* accumulation, i.e., 4-4.5 Ma, 1-2 Ma, and 0-0.5 Ma, were identified in well-preserved gas fields. The suspected central fault facilitated the migration of both high 40Ar/36Ar fluids and highly mature hydrocarbons characterized by heavier d13C₁ and high C₁/C_1-5 ratios. In most gas fields, methane (C₁) migration was dominated by the gas phase, as indicated by the high C₁/36Ar value. However, in a few leaked or shallow-buried gas fields, low C₁/36Ar ratios suggest that C₁ also migrated with water. The duration of trap sealing and the depth of the transport system played critical roles in hydrocarbon accumulation. Longer trap sealing and greater transport system depth favored hydrocarbons derived from the Lower Miocene Sanya Formation. In contrast, shorter trap sealing durations and limited transport system depth led to the accumulation of hydrocarbons sourced from the Middle Miocene Meishan Formation.

High-temperature geothermal activities are widely distributed in rift tectonic zones, where significant volumes of geothermal waters with diverse hydrochemical characteristics are exposed. However, it is still unclear whether these geothermal waters have different formation mechanisms, which hinders the efficient exploitation and utilization of geothermal resources. Hence, this study investigates 41 geothermal water samples from the Cuona-Woka Rift (CWR) on the Tibetan Plateau to elucidate their hydrogeochemical evolutions and formation mechanisms. These geothermal waters are distributed along normal faults (N-S) and thrust faults (E-W), with discharge temperatures ranging from 34.0 to 85.5 °C. Self-organizing map classification identifies three distinct hydrochemical groups: Group 1 (Cl-Na and Cl HCO₃-Na), Group 2 (HCO₃ Cl-Na), and Group 3 (SO₄ Cl-Ca Na). The δD and δ¹⁸O values indicate that meteoric and snow-melt waters are the dominant recharge sources for geothermal waters, with magmatic water contributions ranging from 18% to 24% (Group 1) and 12% to 21% (Group 2). The hydrochemical composition is primarily controlled by silicate and carbonate mineral dissolution, gypsum leaching, and cation exchange, with a higher contribution rate than the mixing of magmatic waters. All geothermal waters originate from the same deep sources, with Groups 2 and 3 undergoing mixing with 68%-88% and 57%-70% shallow cold groundwater, respectively. The significantly enriched trace alkali elements (Li, Rb, and Cs) in Group 1 are attributed to the input of crustal magma melts. Deep reservoir temperatures are estimated at 251-270 °C (Group 1), 226-229 °C (Group 2), and 189-194 °C (Group 3) based on empirical chemical geothermometers, silica-enthalpy mixing model, and geothermometric modeling. The maximum circulation depths are 4.8-5.2 km, 4.3-4.4 km, and 3.5-3.6 km, respectively. Three genesis conceptual models controlled by rift structures are proposed: melt intrusion heating type, hot-cold mixing heating type, and steam heating type. These findings will enhance the understanding of the origin of rift-type geothermal waters and provide valuable insights for the global exploitation and utilization of high-temperature geothermal resources.

Rapid landslide detection can give timely information for emergency responses when group-occurring landslides occurred. However, it is frequently difficult to quickly acquire sufficient data for landslide detection in a short period. Transfer learning harnesses the knowledge of landslide detection from the source domain to the target domain with little labeled data. Graph neural networks (GNN) explicitly models global or local relationships by constructing a graph structure where nodes represent pixels and edges represent connections, thereby improving segmentation consistency. Here, we proposed a deep learning model integrated the attention mechanism, multiscale connections, and GNN to capture contextual information and extract the important features for landslide detection. The proposed method was first pretrained in the large-scale dataset, then transferred and fine-tuned the parameters in the two case studies: 2013 Niangniangba rainfall-induced landslides in China and 2018 Hokkaido coseismic landslides in Japan. We examined the feasibility of the proposed model and studied how much impact the scale of the target domain would have on the landslide detection. The controlled experiments reported that our proposed method could achieve the best F1-score in the data-rich condition. Our results also reveal that the deep learning models with transfer learning in data-limited conditions can perform closely to those in data-rich conditions. The fine-tuning model updated parameters in the target domain besides gaining knowledge from the source domain; hence, performance was improved significantly in a new region despite having little new data. Our approach demonstrates a potential way to improve landslide detection assessment, particularly in areas where landslides are extremely difficult to label.

Archean sanukitoids provide crucial insights into crust-mantle interactions during the early Earth’s geodynamic evolution. However, the role of crustal contamination in their genesis remains uncertain. Sanukitoids identified in the Sapucaia subdomain of the southern Carajás Province are represented by two plutons Água Limpa and Água Azul, collectively referred to as the Água Limpa sanukitoid suite. These plutons are compositionally similar to low-Ti sanukitoids (< 0.63% TiO₂) and their zircon isotopic data record a short period of magmatic activity around ca. 2.87 Ga. Sanukitoids zircons reveal εHf(t) values ranging from -3.31 to + 2.14, Hf and Nd model ages between 2.91 Ga and 3.28 Ga, whole-rock εNd(t) values from -1.64 to + 1.76, and δ¹⁸O values ranging from 5.0 ‰ to 7.6 ‰. The Pb isotopic compositions in K-feldspar (λ > 10) suggests a Mesoarchean mantle source affected by slight crustal contribution and/or contamination. Result of geochemical modelling indicates that the sanukitoids were formed by ∼15% partial melting of mantle peridotite previously enriched by ∼30% of slab-derived melts, with orthopyroxene, garnet, clinopyroxene, phlogopite, and magnetite as residual phases. The integration of our data with previously published results leads us to suggest that modern-style plate tectonics may have initiated along the northern Carajás Province during the Mesoarchean, while the Rio Maria domain to the south remained dominated by mantle plume-driven crustal growth and vertical tectonics.

The East Kunlun Orogenic Belt (EKOB) is an important Cu-Co-Ni-Au-Fe metallogenic belt in China, but the degree of exploration for rare earth elements (REE) mineralization remains very limited. Following the identification of the Dagelegouxi carbonatite-associated REE-Nb deposit (2022) and the Hatuzhongyou (HT) REE deposit (2017), the researchers have paid increasing attention to the REE mineralization potential in the EKOB. The former has been systematically studied in terms of the metallogenic processes. However, no systematic studies have been conducted on the HT deposit, resulting in a research gap. Therefore, this study applies petrology, whole-rock and in-situ mineral geochemistry, geochronology and Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotopes to investigate tectonic setting and metallogenic processes of the HT deposit. The HT deposit represents an alkaline silicate complex (ASC)-hosted mineralization system. The ASC comprises hornblende gabbro (HG), clinopyroxene syenite (CS), hornblende-clinopyroxene syenite (HCS), and quartz-hornblende-clinopyroxene syenite (QS), displaying brecciated, stockwork, and disseminated REE ores. REE mineralization is dominated by allanite, xenotime, monazite, and bastnäesite. The zircon U-Pb concordant age of the HCS suggests that the HT ASC formed in an extensional setting induced by slab detachment and asthenospheric upwelling at ca. 413 Ma, marking a flare-up stage of magmatism and mineralization from ca. 430 Ma to 359 Ma in the EKOB. All rocks in the HT deposit are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs) and REE, but depleted in Nb, Ta, Ti, and Eu. Petrology, mineral compositions, geochemical data, and Hf-Sr-Nd-Pb isotopic compositions suggest that the source of the HT deposit originated from low-degree partial melting of a metasomatized enriched lithospheric mantle, followed by fractional crystallization, magmatic-hydrothermal metasomatism, and fluid boiling.

The Sentinel-3A/B satellites, operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), are equipped with the Ocean and Land Color Instrument (OLCI), which provides data through push-broom radiometers. Sentinel-3A was launched on February 16, 2016, and Sentinel-3B on April 25, 2018. Given their relevance in environmental monitoring, there is a growing need for literature reviews to deepen the functional understanding of their geospatial applications. This study aims to review the scientific literature on using Sentinel-3A/B OLCI data for monitoring aquatic environments, particularly focusing on chlorophyll-a (CHL), total suspended matter (TSM), and absorption of dissolved organic matter at 443 nm (ADG443). The review includes publications indexed in the Scopus and Web of Science (SCIE) databases between February 2016 and 2025. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodology was employed to select 26 relevant studies that apply spectral detections via Sentinel-3A/B satellites related to levels of CHL, TSM, and ADG443. Additionally, the Content Analysis Method(CAM) and MAXQDA software were used to analyze absolute (AF) and relative frequencies (RF) of key variables such as study location, sampling, objectives, use of Sentinel satellites, outcomes, innovations, and future research directions. CAM results showed an average frequency of ∼ 36.0%, with Sentinel-3A accounting for 35.3% and Sentinel-3B ranging between 31.89% and 40.08%. Chlorophyll-a was the most frequently cited term, with a frequency of 32.33% to 40.08% in MAXQDA. The consistency and reliability of spectral detections underscore the potential of these satellites to support the aquatic ecosystem preservation.

Craton margins play a crucial role in mineral exploration as they host faults, fractures, and shear zones that facilitate hydrothermal fluid movement, transporting and depositing dissolved metals into valuable mineral deposits. We use the high-resolution full-waveform seismic inversion model REVEAL to extract horizontal shear wave velocity ( V_SH ), vertical shear wave velocity ( V_SV ), and isotropic P-wave velocity ( V_P ) across depth slices from 150 to 200 km, a range that captures most cratonic lithosphere based on tectonic age and lithospheric thickness analyses. Machine learning, applied through clustered maps, demonstrates that V_SH effectively delineates craton boundaries, aligning with target mineral deposits, including iron oxide copper-gold (IOCG) and sediment-hosted lead, zinc, and copper deposits. These boundaries are characterized by high horizontal shear velocities (4.58-4.68 km/s), and trace the edges of cratons, accreted passive margins, orogens, and thick volcanic arcs. Using published thermal and lithospheric thickness models, we distinguish cratons from other thick lithospheric features and identify their edges and associated deposits. Our results show that ∼ 85% of the total metal content (Cu + Pb + Zn) in target deposits lies within ∼ 120 km of high-velocity cluster boundaries identified as craton edges. Near-craton deposits reveal ∼ 80% of the total metal content within ∼ 90 km of craton boundaries. The weighted cumulative distribution function shows a steeper gradient in metal content closer to craton boundaries, indicating higher concentrations near these tectonic features. Focusing on just 16% of Earth’s continental areas can reveal over 80% of known target deposits, highlighting the significance of craton boundaries quantitatively mapped in this study.

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) has emerged as a critical technology for achieving global climate goals by enabling substantial reductions in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from industrial and energy systems. This multidisciplinary review provides a comprehensive assessment of CCUS technologies, their integration with earth energy systems, and their broader economic, environmental, and societal implications. It begins by detailing the fundamentals of CO₂ capture, utilization, and geological storage, followed by an in-depth analysis of engineering infrastructure and geoscientific factors that underpin secure and efficient deployment. The review also examines how CCUS can be synergistically coupled with renewable and low-carbon technologies such as blue hydrogen, bioenergy, and geothermal systems to enhance sustainability and economic viability. In the policy and economic context, the study explores cost drivers, financing mechanisms, regulatory frameworks, market incentives, and deployment strategies, identifying both progress and persistent gaps. Furthermore, the environmental and societal impacts of CCUS are critically evaluated, with a focus on long-term storage risks, ecosystem concerns, and public acceptance challenges. A global overview of CCUS initiatives highlights regional progress, collaborative efforts, and the increasing momentum toward cluster-based infrastructure models. The article concludes by identifying key challenges—technical, regulatory, and social—and outlines future directions for innovation, policy harmonization, and global coordination. By synthesizing insights from geosciences, engineering, economics, and policy, this review underscores the pivotal role of CCUS as an enabling technology for a just and effective energy transition. It provides strategic guidance for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders working to scale CCUS in alignment with net-zero targets and sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Wildfires represent an escalating environmental threat across Europe and North Africa, increasingly exacerbated by climate-driven shifts in temperature, precipitation, and drought patterns. However, there is still limited large-scale, methodologically consistent research that simultaneously assesses historical patterns and future projections of fire danger across these regions, particularly in terms of both frequency and duration of risk under different climate scenarios. This study addresses this gap by providing a high-resolution, spatiotemporal assessment of fire weather conditions, with the aim of offering critical insights to support climate-adaptive fire management strategies, extended preparedness frameworks, and the integration of future fire weather projections into land-use and risk governance policies. To achieve this, we investigate historical (1979-2021) and projected (2000-2098) trends in fire danger using the Canadian Fire Weather Index (FWI), based on ERA5 reanalysis data and outputs from five Global Climate Models (GCMs) under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. Over 50,000 land grid cells were analyzed to assess the frequency and duration of six FWI danger classes. Different metrics were used to quantify the agreement between historical reanalysis data and GCM outputs, while the Seasonal Kendall (SK) test was applied to detect trends. Results reveal a substantial decline in the duration of the very low FWI class, from 36 to 23 months, and significant increases in both the duration and frequency of the extreme FWI class, reaching up to 6.38 months and 14.42% under the RCP8.5 scenario. Correlation coefficients exceed 0.8 across much of Southern Europe and North Africa, indicating strong temporal agreement. Trend analyses reveal statistically significant increases in fire danger across southern latitudes, while Northern Europe shows mixed or decreasing trends. These findings project a dramatic intensification and expansion of fire-prone conditions, particularly under high-emission scenarios.