On December 18, 2023, a magnitude MS6.2 earthquake struck Jishishan County, Gansu Province, triggering over 40 seismic subsidence sites within a seismic intensity VI zone, 32 km from the epicenter.The earthquake caused tens of millions in economic losses to mountain photovoltaic power stations. Extensive geological surveys and comparisons with similar landslides (such as soil loosening, widespread cracks, and stepped displacements) triggered by the 1920 Haiyuan MS8.5 earthquake and the 1995 Yongdeng MS5.8 earthquake, this study preliminarily identifies one subsidence sites as a seismic-collapsed loess landslide. To investigate its disaster-causing mechanism: the dynamic triaxial test was conducted to assess the seismic subsidence potential of the loess at the site, and the maximum subsidence amount under different seismic loads were calculated by combining actual data from nearby bedrock stations with site amplification data from the active source; simulation of the destabilization evolution of seismic-collapsed loess landslides by large-scale shaking table tests; and a three-dimensional slope model was developed using finite element method to study the complex seismic conditions responsible for site damage. The research findings provide a theoretical foundation for further investigations into the disaster mechanisms of seismic-collapsed loess landslides.

Carbonaceous aerosols play a crucial role in air pollution and radiative forcing, though their light-absorbing and isotopic characteristics remain insufficiently understood. This study analyzes optical absorption and isotopic composition in PM10 and PM2.5 particles from primary emission sources, focusing on traffic-related and solid fuel categories. We analyzed key optical properties, including the Angstrom absorption exponent (AAE), the contributions of black carbon (BC) and brown carbon (BrC) to total light absorption and the mass absorption efficiencies (MAE) of carbonaceous aerosols. AAE values were lower for traffic emission sources (0.9 to 1.3) than solid fuel emission sources (1.5 to 3), with similar values for both particle sizes. BrC contributions were more prominent at shorter wavelengths and were notably higher in solid fuel emission sources (61% to 88%) than in traffic emission sources (8% to 40%) at 405 nm. MAE values of BC at 405 nm were 2 to 20 times higher than BrC across different emissions. Particle size significantly affect MAE(BC) with PM2.5 higher when compared to PM10. Emissions from diesel concentrate mixer and raw coal burning exhibited the highest MAE(BC) for PM2.5 and PM10, respectively. Conversely, Coke had the lowest MAE(BC) but the highest MAE(BrC) for both sizes. Traffic emissions showed more stable carbon isotope ratios (delta C-13) enrichment (-29 parts per thousand to -24 parts per thousand) than solid fuels (-31 parts per thousand to -20 parts per thousand). delta C-13 of solid fuel combustion, unlike traffic sources, is found to be independent of size variation. These findings underscore the importance of source and size-specific aerosol characterization for unregulated emission sources.

H2O extraction from remote icy lunar regolith using concentrated irradiation was investigated under high-vacuum and low-temperature conditions. The thermal sublimation of H2O(s) from packed beds of lunar regolith simulants was quantified with and without an indirect solar receiver for average concentrated irradiations of 37.06 f 2.66 and 74.62 f 3.57 kW/m2. The indirect solar receiver increased sublimation by an average of 18.7 % f 10.4 %, despite slower heating rates due to its increased thermal mass. Different average concentrated irradiations affected the heating rates and thermal gradients within the packed bed, but the impact on overall sublimation was not statistically significant. An inverse relationship between heating rates and normalized sublimation was also observed, where rapid sublimation near the heating elements led to the formation of a desiccated layer of regolith, which behaved as a thermal insulator and further limited heat transfer, reducing the sublimation efficiency. These findings provide key insights for optimizing in-situ resource utilization technologies, contributing to the development of efficient methods for extracting H2O from lunar regolith, which is essential for sustainable space exploration.

Chromium is a heavy metal used in tanneries, leather industries, electroplating, and metallurgical operations, but improper disposal of waste from these industries leads to environmental contamination. Chromium exists primarily in trivalent and hexavalent forms, with hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) being highly toxic. Cr (VI) is carcinogenic, damages fish gills, and negatively impacts crops. Considering these negative impacts of Cr (VI), several physical, chemical, and biological remediation methods have been implemented at contaminated sites, but in most instances, these methods could be uneconomical, highly labor-intensive, and not sustainable. Therefore, a crucial goal is to implement an effective and sustainable remediation technique with consideration of actual site conditions. The aim is to develop a sustainable remediation strategy for a hexavalent chromiumcontaminated site in Ranipet, Tamil Nadu. The comprehensive risk assessment for the site has depicted hazard quotients greater than 1 for both onsite and offsite conditions, indicating the necessity of remediation. To address this, it is suggested to build permeable reactive filters (PRFs) packed with scrap iron filings to reduce Cr (VI) to Cr (III), and succeeding filters with locally produced waste coconut shell biochar to aid in adsorption. The use of waste here aims to eliminate the need to procure any commercially available materials for remediation, completely cutting down the environmental impact of raw material extraction or processing. A continuous chambered set-up packed with contaminated soil and PRFs with biochar and iron filings aided in the decrease of the peak concentration of Cr (VI) by 61 % as compared to a set-up without intervention. Moreover, the outlet concentration after 7 days reduced to 0.08 mg/L, which was 97.6 % less than that in the set-up without intervention.

The exploration of the Moon necessitates sustainable habitat construction. Establishing a permanent base on the Moon requires solutions for challenges such as transportation costs and logistics, driving the emphasis on In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) techniques including Additive Manufacturing. Given the limited availability of regolith on Earth, researchers utilize simulants in laboratory studies to advance technologies essential for future Moon missions. Despite advancements, a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental properties and processing parameters of sintered lunar regolith still needs to be studied, demonstrating the need for further research. Here, we investigated the fundamental properties of lunar regolith simulant material with respect to the stereolithography-based AM process needed for the engineering design of complex items for lunar applications. Material and mechanical characterization of milled and sintered LHS-1 lunar regolith was done. Test specimens, based on ASTM standards, were fabricated from a 70 wt% (48.4 vol %) LHS-1 regolith simulant suspension and sintered up to 1150 degrees C. The compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths were (510.7 +/- 133.8) MPa, (8.0 +/- 0.9) MPa, and (200.3 +/- 49.3) MPa respectively, surpassing values reported in previous studies. These improved mechanical properties are attributed to suspension's powder loading, layer thickness, exposure time, and sintering temperature. A set of regolith physical and mechanical fundamental material properties was built based on laboratory evaluation and prepared for utilization, with the manufacturing of complex-shaped objects demonstrating the technology's capability for engineering design problems.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration plans to deploy astronauts to the Moon and construct sustainable habitat modules in collaboration with private companies and national space agencies worldwide. In situ resource utilization (ISRU) is indispensable for large-scale, long-term human lunar exploration. Water ice, which is one of the most precious resources, is believed to exist in the Moon's polar regions. Future plans include using it to maintain life support for astronauts and provide raw materials (H2 and O2) for rocket engines and fuel cells. Because the capture and delivery of ice are required to utilize water on the Moon, the following potentially reliable and efficient capture and delivery technologies for water ice, which are based on electrodynamic, electromagnetic, and mechanical vibration forces, are being developed. (1) The first is a capture and delivery system based on electrodynamic standing waves. When a high alternating voltage is applied to parallel screen electrodes, the alternating electrodynamic force is exerted on ice and regolith particles in contact with the lower electrode, and some agitated particles are captured after they pass through the openings of the upper screen electrode. The captured particles are transported between an array of zigzag electrodes activated by the application of high alternating voltage. (2) The second is a delivery system that utilizes an electrodynamic traveling wave. Three- or four-phase high voltage is applied to parallel line or ring electrodes to form an electrodynamic traveling wave. Meanwhile, regolith and ice particles are conveyed by traveling waves. Horizontal, curved, inclined, and vertical deliveries are realizable using this system. (3) The third is an electromagnetic delivery system based on the coil-gun principle, which considers the fact that lunar regolith particles are magnetic. A multistage coil-gun mechanism powered by a charged inductor-capacitor-resistor (LCR) circuit is used to deliver the regolith particles over long distances. (4) The fourth is a vibration delivery system. The vibration-conveyance mechanism, which is widely applied in terrestrial industries, is used to deliver regolith and ice particles. When the particles are on a plate or in a tube vibrated diagonally by actuators, the vibrating plate or tube is repeatedly propelled and conveys the particles diagonally in the forward direction. When the lower end of an inclined or vertically supported vibrating tube is immersed in a layer of regolith or ice particles, particles are introduced into the tube, and the friction force between the particles and the inner wall of the tube is used to convey the particles upward. This paper provides an overview of the recent progress of these unique technologies for efficient and reliable ISRU on the Moon.

Lunar ice is a strategically important resource due to its potential to enable in-situ production of propellants for in-space refueling. However, existing remote sensing data are insufficient to determine whether prospective ice deposits meet reserve criteria. This study applies value of information (VOI) theory to investigate the economic rationale for completing ground-based exploration for lunar ice reserves. By investigating a range of potential extraction and exploration scenarios, the analysis demonstrates the utility of linking VOI to cash flow models as a framework for evaluating future missions. This study finds that uncertainties in deposit composition and technology performance are primary factors undermining the business case. Lunar-sourced propellant could yield positive net present value (NPV) outcomes-even with low propellant prices and launch costs. In representative future scenarios, the VOI from ground-based exploration is likely to exceed mission costs, suggesting that such campaigns can be economically justified.

This study explored the effects of forest fires on soil microbial activity in forest soils classified by rock origin (igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary) and stratified by subsoil depth (topsoil, subsoil). Microbial activity, indicated by average well color development (AWCD) and Shannon diversity indices, was higher in undamaged topsoils compared to fire-damaged ones. In contrast, fire-damaged subsoils, particularly in metamorphic and sedimentary soils, exhibited increased microbial activity over time due to organic matter decomposition. A significant increase in substrate utilization was observed in undamaged soils across all rock types (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01) in topsoil, with sedimentary rock exhibiting the highest microbial diversity based on Shannon indices. The dehydrogenase activity followed a similar pattern, with reduced activity in fire-damaged topsoil but higher activity in damaged metamorphic and sedimentary subsoils. Principal component analysis (PCA) linked microbial indicators (AWCD, Shannon index) to mineral compositions like orthoclase and hornblende, highlighting the role of soil chemistry in shaping microbial responses to fire. These insights advance the understanding of fire-induced changes in soil microbial functions across diverse geological contexts.

The ongoing permafrost degradation in the Three-River Source Region (TRSR) poses serious threats to ecosystems, water resources, and infrastructure projects. As the China Water Tower and a vital barrier for the high-altitude ecological security of China, the TRSR is particularly vulnerable to such changes. The extent and severity of permafrost degradation are primarily governed by heat transfer dynamics, with soil thermal conductivity (STC) playing a crucial role in regulating thermal equilibrium. However, research on STC is hindered by insufficient in-situ measurements. To address this gap, we conducted in-situ measurements of STC at soil depths of 0-40 cm across 58 plots at 12 sites in the TRSR (244 records) during July and August 2023. The driving mechanisms influencing STC variations were further analyzed through laboratory experiments in September and October 2023. Spatially, STC increases from west to east and vertically with soil depth. Control experiments revealed that STC at negative temperatures is markedly higher than that at positive temperatures and increases with volumetric moisture content, particularly in inorganic soils, sand and loamy sand. This effect is more pronounced at subzero temperatures. Meanwhile, our results show that an artificial neural network model (R-2 = 0.78, p < 0.0001) incorporating ten measured soil physical parameters, outperforms traditional theoretical and empirical models in predicting STC. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of permafrost formation, evolution, and its responses to climate change in the TRSR.

Industrial development has caused significant environmental damage, especially through potentially toxic element (PTE) pollution. Combining pollution indices, health risk assessment, spatial autocorrelation (Moran's I), and receptor modeling (APCS/MLR), this study quantified sources and risks of heavy metals in smelting-adjacent farmland soils, facilitating targeted PTE pollution mitigation. Soil analysis revealed significantly elevated mean concentrations of As (326 mg/kg), Cd (23 mg/kg), Cr (104 mg/kg), Cu (106 mg/kg), Ni (73 mg/kg), Pb (274 mg/kg), and Zn (660 mg/kg), all exceeding Yunnan provincial background values. The average total non-carcinogenic risk index (HIadult = 2, HIchild = 11) and total carcinogenic risk index (TCRadult = 5.52 x 10-4, TCRChild = 6.44 x 10-4) for both adults and children exceeded the threshold (HI = 1, TCR = 1 x 10-04). The results of environmental pollution evaluation show that the overall pollution in the study area is a heavy pollution level. The ACPS-MLR model showed that Cd and Zn in soil mainly came from industrial activities (37%). Cu and Pb were derived from motor vehicle emissions and agricultural activities (20%). As may be derived from agricultural and industrial activities. Furthermore, based on the combination of source apportionalization and the spatial distribution of environmental pollution, the northeastern part of the study area and transportation hubs are the key pollution areas and need to be given priority for treatment. PTEs accumulate in the soil, will be enriched through the food chain, and seriously threaten human health and soil ecological environment. Therefore, this study can provide a basis for identifying, preventing, and controlling the risk of PTEs pollution in soil.