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The aim of this research was to assess the land use/land cover (LULC) changes and its impact on land surface temperature (LST) using remote-sensing (RS) technique in the district Khanewal, Punjab, Pakistan. Data were pre-processed using ERDAS imagine 15 and Arc GIS 10.4 software for layer stacking, mosaicking, and sub-setting of Landsat images. After pre-processing, the supervised classification scheme was applied for the years 1980, 2000, and 2020, which explains the maximum likelihood algorithm to identify LULC changes observed in the study area. \"Built-up area\" in 1980 occupied 1.75% but in 2020, the build-up area increased (5.27%) compared to 2020. Vegetation area was decreased by 4.12% from 1980 to 2020 in district Khanewal. It was observed that there has been a rapid change in vegetation area to build-up area. The LST values were increased by 0.50°C from 1980 to 2020 due to the increasing build-up area from East to West direction in district Khanewal. Maximum and minimum normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) values were observed 0.72 and −0.2 for 1980 and 2020. The regression line produced a definitive explanation, showing a strong negative correlation with NDVI and LST. The outcomes of this study indicated that a dramatic transformation took place in district Khanewal regarding a decrease in greenness due to a rapid increase in population density, urban growth, and other infrastructural developments. Thus, these results will be used in regional and urban planning and will be used for managing agriculture in the coming years of rapid environmental changes.

This research aimed to evaluate flood hazards and risk areas in the Gidabo Watershed using remote sensing (RS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Six main factors were considered to identify flooding hazard zones: drainage density (DD), soil, elevation, rainfall, slope, and land use land cover (LULC). Population density, flood hazard zone, and LULC were considered for mapping the flood risk zone in the Gidabo watershed. A weighted overlay analysis tool has been utilized to integrate the thematic layers to identify both flood hazard and flood risk zones. The findings indicated that about 41.6% (337 km 2 ) of the watershed falls within the high and very high flooding hazard zones. Conversely, 31.11% (252 km 2 ) of the watershed is categorized under very-low and low flooding hazards. Moreover, the study identified five flood risk zones in the area viz; very high, high, moderate, low, and very low. The result of the flood risk map revealed that 199.5 km 2 (24.5%) of the watershed has a higher and very higher risk of flooding. These zones were validated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, showing a correlation coefficient of 0.943. These results emphasize the need to implement prediction of floods, early warning systems, and effective management practices on a regular and sustainable basis.

The main focus of the present research was to examine the appropriateness of groundwater resources for drinking purposes in the Bilate River Basin of Southern Main Ethiopian Rift, Ethiopia. The groundwater quality index (GWQI), fluoride pollution index (FPI), and human health risk were used to examine the human health risk factors associated with the intake of high fluoride groundwater. For this purpose, 29 groundwater samples were collected from the existing wells and were analyzed for various physicochemical parameters. The dominant cation was Na+, followed by Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+. The dominant anion was HCO3−, followed by Cl−, SO42−, and F−. The Gibbs plot shows that rock-water interactions are the dominant factor controlling the groundwater chemistry. By using the GWQI, the quality of groundwater samples was 31% excellent, 21% good, 31% poor, and 17% very poor. The fluoride concentration in groundwater ranges from 0.2 to 5.60 mg/L (mean, 2.10 mg/L). 59% (i.e., 17 wells) of the groundwater samples were not suitable for drinking, because they surpassed the drinking water quality limit of 1.5 mg/L. The remaining 41% (i.e., 12 wells) of the samples were suitable for drinking. The FPI indicates that 51.72% of the wells were highly polluted by fluoride. The noncarcinogenic health risk varies from 0.75 to 8.44 for children (83%), 0.34–3.84 for women (62%), and 0.27–3.01 for men (52%), which indicates that children are at higher health risk than women and men due to the physiological condition and the rates of ingestion.

This research aims to define the potential of using natural networks for groundwater mapping. While neural networks have proven effective for various perceptual tasks, the difficulty in identifying data points below the surface remains a key challenge. The area under study encompasses a mountainous region in the Western Ghats. The most efficient, practical, along sensible methods for defining the GWPZ (Groundwater Potential Zones) in the Nilgiri’s hard rock terrain are Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as well as analytic hierarchy process (AHP) of multicriteria decision making. To create various thematic layers, we utilized Indian topographical maps, satellite imagery, and field observations. We collected data on ten factors influencing groundwater(GW), including LULC(Land Use Land Cover), elevation, slope, soil type, geomorphology(GM), rainfall(RF), geology(GL), LD(lineament density), as well as DD(drainage density). Based on the weight assignment, all the thematic maps influencing GW events were assessed and compiled using GIS analysis. The weighted index overlay (WIO) approach and PCM (pairwise comparison matrix) within the AHP were used for a hierarchical ranking to identify the possible GW zones. The outcome revealed that the sample region could be divided into 5 separate groundwater potential (GWP) areas, i.e., very good (10%), good (32%), moderate (21%), low (26%), as well as very low (11%) potentials. Well and spring data were used to validate the model, and the ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) curve method was applied. The results showed a good accuracy of 70.03%. chance of correctly distinguishing a randomly chosen true positive from a false positive. This research is useful for improved preparation and control of GW supplies and offers swift guidelines for the discovery of GW in the hard rock aquifer region.

The fractured volcanic aquifer of the Abaya Chamo basin in the southern Ethiopian Rift represents an important source for water supply. This study investigates the geochemical evolution of groundwater and the groundwater flow system in this volcanic aquifer system using hydrochemistry and environmental tracers. Water types of groundwater were found to transform from Ca-Mg-HCO3 (western part of Lake Abaya area) to Na-HCO3 (northwestern part), from the highland down to the Rift Valley. Silicate hydrolysis and Ca/Na ion exchange are the major geochemical processes that control groundwater chemistry along the flow path. Groundwaters are of meteoric origin. The δ18O and δD content of groundwater ranges from −4.9 to −1.1‰ and –27 to 5‰, respectively. The δ18O and δD values that lie on the summer local meteoric water line indicate that the groundwater was recharged mainly by summer rainfall. δ13CDIC values of cold groundwater range from −12 to −2.7‰, whereas δ13CDIC of thermal groundwater ranges from −8.3 to +1.6‰. The calculated δ13CCO2(g) using δ13CDIC and DIC species indicates the uptake of soil CO2 for cold groundwater and the influx of magmatic CO2 through deep-seated faults for thermal groundwater. In the western part of Lake Abaya area, the shallow and deep groundwater are hydraulically connected, and the uniform water type is consistent with a fast flow of large gradient. In contrast, in the northern part of Lake Abaya area, water underwent deep circulation and slow flow, so the water types—e.g. high F− (up to 5.6 mg/L) and Na+—varied laterally and vertically.

Background Malaria is a major public health issue in Nekemte City, western Ethiopia, with various environmental and social factors influencing transmission patterns. Effective control and prevention strategies require precise identification of high-risk areas. This study aims to map malaria risk zones in Nekemte City using geospatial technologies, including remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to support targeted interventions and resource allocation. Methods The study integrated environmental and social factors to assess malaria risk in the city. Environmental factors, including climatic and geographic characteristics, such as elevation, rainfall patterns, temperature, slope, and proximity to river, were selected based on experts' opinions and literature review. These factors were weighted using the analytic hierarchy process according to their relative influence on malaria hazard susceptibility. Social factors considered within the GIS framework focused on human settlements and access to resources. These included population density, proximity to health facilities, and proximity to roads. The malaria risk analysis incorporated hazard and vulnerability layers, along with Land use/cover (LULC) data. A weighted overlay analysis method combined these layers and generate the final malaria risk map. Results The malaria risk map identified that 18.2% (10.5 km 2 ) of the study area was at very high risk, 18.8% (10.9 km 2 ) at high risk, 30.4% (17.8 km 2 ) at moderate risk, 19.8% (11.5 km 2 ) at low risk, and 12.6% (7.3 km 2 ) at very low risk. A combined 37% (21.4 km 2 ) of Nekemte City was classified as at high to very high malaria risk, highlighting key areas for intervention. Conclusions This malaria risk map offers a valuable tool for malaria control and elimination efforts in Nekemte City. By identifying high-risk areas, the map provides actionable insights that can guide local health strategies, optimize resource distribution, and improve the efficiency of interventions. These findings contribute to enhanced public health planning and can support future regional malaria control initiatives.

The world’s groundwater resources are under tremendous strain due to overuse and significant climatic changes. The need for potable water for industrial, agricultural, and domestic use is increasing worldwide, necessitating an assessment of aquifer productivity and groundwater potential. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate groundwater potential zones (GWPZ) in Natham Taluk, Dindigul district, a hard rock area, to promote sustainable development. The GWPZ was delineated using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) in conjunction with Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which have become essential techniques for groundwater resource retrieval, monitoring, and conservation. A total of ten thematic maps of lithology, land use/land cover, lineament density, geomorphology, soil, slope, rainfall, drainage density, Topographic Wetness Index (TWI), and curvature, all layers were integrated to define Groundwater Potential Zones (GWPZs) by weighted overlay analysis using ArcGIS and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Five types of groundwater potential were found in the study region as a consequence of the classification: very good (7.61%), good (39.70%), moderate (17.70%), low (33.03%), and very low (1.95%). The groundwater potential map (GWPM) accuracy is evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC) method; an AUC value of 0.830 indicates a reliable result. This spatial study provides a vital geospatial database for strategically planning and constructing groundwater recharge structures. In addition to supporting the long-term sustainable management of groundwater resources, the delineated zones offer practical insights for improving aquifer recharge. The study also identifies possible locations for artificial recharge, especially well-suited to areas with hard rock and semi-arid conditions.

The continuous intake of contaminated drinking water causes serious issues for human health. In order to estimate the suitability of groundwater for drinking and irrigation, and also conduct human risk assessments of various groups of people, a total of 43 sample locations in the semi-arid southern part of India were selected based on population density, and we collected and analyzed groundwater from the locations for major anions and cations. The present study’s novelty is integrating hydrochemical analysis with the entropy water quality index (EWQI), nitrate pollution index (NPI) and human health risk assessment. The results of the EWQI revealed that 44.19% of the sample locations need to be treated before consumption. About 37.20% of the study region has a high concentration of nitrate in the groundwater. NPI revealed that 41.86% of the samples had moderate or significant pollution levels. The non-carcinogenic risk evaluation showed that 6–12-year-old children are at a higher risk than teenagers, adults and elderly people in the study area. The natural sources of nitrate and other contamination of groundwater are rock–water interaction, weathering of rock, dissolution of carbonate minerals and evaporation processes, and the anthropogenic sources are the decomposition of organic substances in dumping yards, uncovered septic tanks and human and animal waste. The results suggest taking mitigation measures to reduce the contamination and improve the sustainable planning of groundwater management.

The present study is undertaken at the lower Manair River basin, the central part of Telangana in southern India, as the Government authorities has done rapid developmental activities over the last seven years demanded identifying change detection in environmental indicators. Geospatial tools, viz., remote sensing and geographic information system, are used to classify and identify land-use/land cover (LULC) changes during 2015-2021 based on the images collected from Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS multispectral and multi-temporal satellite data set. Change detection of environmental indicators such as LULC changes, land surface temperature (LST), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) are crucial parameters that play a vital role in identifying vulnerable areas, which helps in planning and utilizing natural resources. The results revealed that the agricultural cropland filled in the top class with an area of 1124.70 km 2 (33.82%) in 2015, amplified to 1442.95 km 2 (43.39%) in 2021. The built-up area has marginally raised by 581.45 km 2 (17.49%) in the study region. A negative correlation is observed between LST and NDVI. LULC patterns are changing, and its imprint echoed on a surge of LST. It establishes a foundation for evidence-based policymaking and sustainable growth, emphasizing the importance of proactive measures in preserving the delicate balance between development and environmental conservation.

Evaluation of the hydrogeochemical processes governing the heavy metal distribution and the associated health risk is important in managing and protecting the health of freshwater resources. This study mainly focused on the health impacts due to the heavy metals pollution in a known Cretaceous-Tertiary (K/T) contact region (Tiruchinopoly, Tamilnadu) of peninsular India, using various pollution indices, statistical, and geochemical analyses. A total of 63 samples were collected from the hard rock aquifers and sedimentary formations during southwest monsoon and analysed for heavy metals, such as Li, Be, Al, Rb, Sr, Cs, Ba, pb, Mn, Fe, Cr, Zn, Ga, Cu, As, Ni, and Co. Ba was the dominant element that ranged from 441 to 42,638 μg/l in hard rock aquifers, whereas Zn was the major element in sedimentary formations, with concentrations that ranged from 44 to 118,281 μg/l. The concentrations of Fe, Ni, Cr, Al, Cr, and Ni fell above the permissible limit in both of the formations. However, the calculated heavy metal evaluation index (HEI), heavy metal pollution index (HPI), and the degree of contamination (Cd) parameters were higher in the sedimentary formation along the contact zone of the K/T boundary. Excessive health risks from consumption of contaminated groundwater were mostly confined to populations in the northern and southwestern regions of the study area. Carcinogenic risk assessment suggests that there are elevated risks of cancer due to prolonged consumption of untreated groundwater. Ba, Sr, and Zn were found to be geochemically highly mobile due to the partitioning between the rock matrix and groundwater, aided by the formation of soluble carbonato-complexes. Factor analysis indicates that the metals are mainly derived from the host rocks and anthropogenic inputs are relatively insignificant. Overall, this study indicated that groundwater in K/T contact zones is vulnerable to contamination because of the favorable geochemical factors. Long-term monitoring of such contact zones is required to avert the potential health hazards associated with consumption of the contaminated groundwater.