Democratic Republic of Congo has more than 2 500 exploited mining sites which play an important role in the country’s economy. However, mining activities has led to a high presence of heavy metals that are toxic for humans and animals in aquatic systems. Here we assessed the impact of these pollutants on human health. Water samples were collected from various sites along major rivers...
The state of Florida in the United States is surrounded by coastal estuaries and lagoons which represent important ecosystems for both native species and human settlements. The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is one such water ecosystem which stretches for 250km along Florida’s east coast and is home multiple endangered species. Over the past few decades the IRL has been in a state of decline due to...
Northern Pakistan's glaciers, located in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, are critical for sustaining South Asia's water resources and ecosystems. However, these glaciers are rapidly melting due to global warming, primarily driven by human activities such as fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, and industrial processes. Glacier melting, a significant effect of climate change, has increased...
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is a vital source of income for many rural communities in Sierra Leone, particularly young people and single mothers. However, the sector’s reliance on mercury for gold extraction poses significant environmental and health challenges. Mercury is used for amalgamation due to its efficiency and low cost, but its release into water bodies, soil, and...
Land-cover change (LUCC) affects soil quality and soil organic carbon (SOC) distribution. SOC sequestration is dependent on climate. Studies in Texas were interested in SOC distribution, how it is influenced by long-term management practices, and understanding their effects on total carbon (C) distribution. There is a need to develop a SOC distribution and LUCC intersecting index for...
