Hazardous waste from metal processing industries increases heavy metal contamination in ecosystems, threatening environmental health and regional sustainability. This study suggests a resilient and human-centered environmental monitoring approach that incorporates machine learning and decision analytics to address these challenges in line with Industry 5.0's goals. By utilising a PRINCIPAL COMPONENT REGRESSION (PCR)-based predictive model, the approach addresses variability in environmental data, predicting levels of heavy metals like lead, zinc, nickel, arsenic, and cadmium, frequently beyond regulatory thresholds. The suggested PCR-based model outperforms conventional models by lowering mean absolute error (MAE) to 2.9339, mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) to 0.0358, and nearly the same mean square error (MSE). This study introduces a more interpretable and computationally efficient alternative to existing predictive models by introducing a novel integration of PCR with machine learning for environmental monitoring. By predicting and optimising environmental outcomes, validation against test datasets confirmed its ability to optimise impurity control. After process adjustments, the average concentrations of lead, nickel, and cadmium were reduced from 13.23 to 11.26 mg/L, 2.83 to 2.70 mg/L, and 2.15 to 1.88 mg/L, respectively. This research supports sustainability, resilience, and decisionmaking aligned with Industry 5.0, offering scalable solutions and insights for global industries.HighlightsChemical plants' environmental risk is evaluated using a machine learning algorithmFor better monitoring, the PCR method forecasts process variables and interactionsIt identifies the key factors that affect the environmental risks in soil and waterAs a result, the local ecosystem's levels of toxic metals have notably decreasedInsights for managing environmental risks aligned with Industry 5.0 principles

Background: The problem of toxic industrial waste impacting soil and water quality remains a significant environmental threat, yet comprehensive solutions are lacking. This review addresses this gap by exploring the effects of industrial waste on ecosystems and proposing strategies for remediation. Its aim is to provide a thorough understanding of the issue and suggest actionable solutions to minimize environmental damage.Methods: A comprehensive scoping review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data were sourced from major academic databases, including Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, Academic Search Premier, Springer Link, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. A total of 105 relevant articles were included based on strict eligibility criteria. The review process encompassed identification, screening, and eligibility checks, followed by data abstraction and analysis.Results: The scoping review highlights the severe impact of toxic industrial waste on soil and water quality, emphasizing pollutants such as heavy metals (cadmium, lead, chromium), organic contaminants, and excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus). These pollutants degrade aquatic ecosystems, causing acidification, eutrophication, and oxygen depletion, leading to biodiversity loss and the mobilization of toxic metals. Soil health is similarly compromised, with heavy metal contamination reducing fertility and disrupting microbial communities essential for nutrient cycling. Mitigation strategies, including cleaner production technologies, effluent treatment, bioremediation, and phytoremediation, offer promising solutions. These eco-friendly approaches effectively reduce pollutants, restore ecosystems, and enhance environmental sustainability, thus mitigating the long-term risks posed by industrial waste on soil and water quality.Conclusions and recommendations: The findings confirm that toxic industrial waste is a critical environmental threat that impacts both aquatic ecosystems and terrestrial soils. Immediate action is necessary to address ecological degradation. Recommended strategies include banning harmful raw materials, pre-treatment of waste, riparian buffering, bioremediation, and stricter regulations to control pollution and safeguard ecosystems.

The manual addition of lime to soil, in addition to tree planting and fertilization have been the dominant strategy described in restoration protocols for ecosystems damaged by acid rain and metal contamination. Investigations on aerial-limed soils in inaccessible lands are limited. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of aerial liming on soil pH, organic matter, microbial biomass, and enzymatic activities, and aboveground plant population quality in metal-contaminated lands in northern Ontario, Canada. Soil samples were collected from three sites around the City of Greater Sudbury with each pair being composed of a reclaimed (areal-limed) site and an adjacent undisturbed (unlimed) area. Soil physico-chemistry, microbial biomass (assessed by Phospholipid fatty acid analysis) and enzymatic activities were analyzed. Soil pH was higher in limed sites compared to unlimed at recently restored sites (Baby Lake and Wahnapitae) but not at the oldest reclaimed site (HWY 80 N). Organic matter was higher in limed areas compared to the unlimed reference site only at most recently reclaimed site at Baby Lake. Aboveground plant population health was visibly improved in limed sites compared to unlimed areas. Metal concentrations of iron (Fe) and arsenic (As), total microbial biomasses, gram-negative bacterial, fungal, and eukaryotic biomasses were all significantly increased in the limed soils compared to the unlimed samples. The same trend was observed for the activities of three of the enzymes tested, beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (BG), aryl sulfatase (AS), and glycine aminopeptidase (GAP). Interestingly, strong positive correlations between the levels of soil organic matter, microbial biomasses, and NAGase and ALP activities were observed. Although expensive, aerial liming is effective in restoring inaccessible sites impacted by smelting operations where other methods cannot easily be used.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are increasingly recognized for their beneficial impacts on plants facing various environmental stresses, playing a pivotal role in enhancing ion uptake, water retention, and overall plant productivity. Similarly, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) contribute to plant growth by facilitating nitrogen assimilation and producing growth regulators. While the individual applications of AMF and PGPR are well-documented, there is limited research on their combined effects, particularly in heavy metal stress physiology. Therefore, the synergistic effects of AMF and PGPR in metal-stressed conditions, a relatively un-explored area in plant stress physiology. A hydroponic experiment was conducted under the combined effects of PGPR i.e., Bacillus cereus Pb25 and AMF i.e., Glomus intraradices under the hydroponic solution spiked with copper (Cu) stress i.e., 100 mu M on biochemical, morphological and physiological characteristics of maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. Our results showed that the Cu toxicity in the nutrient solution showed a significant declined in the growth, gas exchange attributes and nutrient uptake in Z. mays. However, Cu toxicity significantly increased oxidative stress biomarkers, organic acids, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants including their gene expression in Z. mays seedlings. Although, the application of PGPR and AMF showed a significant increase in the plant growth and biomass, gas exchange characteristics, nutrient uptake, enzymatic and non-enzymatic compounds and their gene expression and also decreased the oxidative stress and Cu uptake in different parts of the plant. These results open new insights for sustainable agriculture practices and hold immense promise in addressing the pressing challenges of heavy metal contamination in agricultural soils.

alpha -Tocopherol's (Vitamin E) antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce the progression of fibrosis in kidney by limiting tissue damage and inflammation induced by arsenic. Knowledge of the mechanisms of action of natural medicinal substances in arsenic toxicity will be improved by the analysis of the ameliorative effects of alpha -tocopherol. The goal of the current investigation was to determine whether Vitamin E can protect rats from nephrotoxicity caused by sodium arsenite (NaAsO2). Twenty-five Wistar rats were split into five groups viz: Group I with distilled water as control; Group II -IV with 8.4 (Low dose)/12.3 (Moderate dose)/16.4 mg/kg NaAsO2 (High dose); and Group V as in Gr. IV + 50 mg/kg alpha -Tocopherol. Both the doses were administered orally to rats for 60 days. alpha -tocopherol decreased the concentration of serum parameters like urea nitrogen (UN) and creatinine (CRT) whereas increased the concentration of albumin (ALB), acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) ( P <0.05). In comparison to control group, the transcript levels of p53 were significantly higher in the LDG, MDG, and HDG rats, respectively, by -0.7 fold, -0.4 fold, and -0.5 fold. Similar to this, p21 transcript levels were higher in LDG, MDG and HDG groups than in those from the control group by -0.2 fold, -0.4 fold and -0.6 fold, respectively. Additionally, as compared to rats in the control group, the levels of p27 transcripts were decreased by -0.5 fold, -0.5 fold, and -0.4 fold in the LDG, MDG, and HDG rat populations, respectively. Co -administration of alpha -tocopherol with NaAsO2 showed decreased mRNA expression of p53 and p21 followed by increased mRNA expression of p27. In this investigation, it was discovered that alpha -tocopherol had a protective effect against renal damage brought on by NaAsO2.

Copper (Cu), with many documented cases of Cu toxicity in agriculture lands, is becoming an increasingly common issue in the world, but fewer studies have been conducted on its effects and alleviation strategies through the use of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) and silicon (Si). For this purpose, we have conducted a pot experiment to determine the effects of seed priming with TiO2-NPs i.e., 40 mg L-1 and Si i.e., 3 mM on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under different levels of Cu in the soil i.e., 0 (no Cu), 100 and 200 mg kg(-1). Results from the present study showed that the increasing concentrations of Cu in the soil caused a significant decrease in the plant growth and biomass, chlorophyll pigments and gas-exchange characteristics, sugar content, essential ions in the roots and shoots of the plant, compared to control. In addition, increasing concentration of Cu also increases oxidative damage, enzymatic and non-enzymatic enzymes along with their gene expression, organic acids exudation patter and Cu concentration in the roots and shoots of the plant. The negative impact of Cu toxicity can overcome the application of TiO2-NPs and Si, which ultimately increased plant growth and biomass by capturing the reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decreased oxidative stress in T. aestivum by decreasing the Cu contents in the roots and shoots of the plants. Research findings, therefore, suggest that the combined application of TiO2-NPs and Si can ameliorate Cu toxicity in T. aestivum, resulting in improved plant growth and composition under metal stress, as depicted by balanced exudation of organic acids. [GRAPHICS]

Due to high reactivity and relatively low cost, nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) has become an alternative material for in-situ remediation of contaminated sites. However, factors such as short transport distance and easy deposition in porous media also seriously restrict its injection remediation effect. The optimum ratio of bentonite and kaolin supported nano zero-valent iron (K-nZVI) in the remediation agent was determined by sedimentation and rheological tests. The transport characteristics of deionized water and bentonite suspensions carrying K-nZVI in porous media under different injection pressures were investigated using simulating column tests. The results show that bentonite suspensions could significantly improve the stability and dispersibility of K-nZVI. The proportion of bentonite and K-nZVI are 5% and 0.4%, respectively, which is the best ratio of the remediation agent. The transport capability of K-nZVI carried by deionized water increases with the increase of injection pressure, while there is a critical injection pressure for bentonite suspensions carrying K-nZVI remediation agent. The numerical simulation results show that the diffusion radius of K-nZVI is positively correlated with the injection pressure and negatively correlated with the viscosity of the remediation agent. The results provide theoretical guidance for the remediation project of heavy metal pollution in non-ferrous smelting sites.

Over -application of nitrogen fertilizer induces soil acidification, which activates heavy metals availability and poses significant challenge to crop production and food safety. In this study, we prepared a clay-based material by ball-milling bentonite with NH4Cl (NH4Cl@bentonite) and assessed its synergistic performance in enhancing nitrogen fertilizer utilization efficiency, immobilizing heavy metals, and improving crop yield and safety. The results showed that the optimal performance of NH4Cl@bentonite was achieved by milling bentonite with NH4Cl at a 4:1 mass ratio for 9 h. NH4Cl@bentonite significantly improved soil water holding and retention capacity by 1.6 and 4.3 times, respectively. In comparison to NH4Cl alone, NH4Cl@bentonite led to a 22.3% increase in N -use efficiency and a 1.5 times enhancement in crop yield. The Pb and Cd content in water spinach shoots decreased by 55.3% and 57.5%, respectively, attributed to the transformation of heavy metals into lower bioavailability states by NH4Cl@bentonite. Experiments and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations indicated that NH4Cl@bentonite could immobilize Pb and Cd through processes such as cation exchange, surface adsorption, complexation, and enhancement of soil pH. This work proposes a simple and efficient method for improving cropland fertilizer utilization while ensuring healthy and sustainable development. Environmental implication: Soil acidification, caused using chemical fertilizers, especially nitrogen -based ones, threatens crop production and food safety by damaging soil structure, speeding up nutrient loss, and increasing the solubility of heavy metals. To tackle this problem, we made a clay material by mixing bentonite with NH4Cl (NH4Cl@bentonite) in a ball mill. NH4Cl@bentonite increased N -use efficiency by 22.3%, boosted crop yield by 1.5 times, and reduced the Pb and Cd levels in water spinach shoots by 55.3% and 57.5%, respectively. This work suggests a simple and effective way to enhance fertilizer use in croplands while ensuring healthy and sustainable development.

A total of 30 samples from the downwind direction of a certain electroplating company in Jiaxing were collected in layers to analyze their heavy metal content. The soil risk assessment was conducted from the perspective of ecological and human health risks using the ground accumulation index method and human health risk assessment method. The results showed that in all samples, cadmium and arsenic far exceeded the soil background values, with an average exceeding multiple of 14.31 and 64.42, respectively, and a exceeding rate of 100%. After evaluation by the ground accumulation index, among these six heavy metals, arsenic and cadmium belong to extremely serious pollution levels. The human health risk assessment of electroplating plants found that in the exposure risk assessment, the ingestion value was much greater than the harm caused by breathing and skin, and the maximum exposure damage value of arsenic to children and adults was 4.17 x 10-3, among the carcinogenic risks, the risk brought by consumption is much greater than the respiratory and skin carcinogenic risk index, with the highest value score of 3.37 for cadmium, arsenic, and zinc carcinogenic risks 3.37 x 10-6, 2.42 x 10-3, 1.10 x 10-4.