An enhanced understanding of the history of the western Qinling-Dabie orogen is pivotal in reconstructing geological processes of the east Asian mainland. However, less attention has been paid to its early-stage uplift-erosion history after closure of surrounding oceanic basins at the mid-Paleozoic. In this study, we undertook a comprehensive study including paleocurrent reconstruction, sandstone petrology, and detrital zircon U–Pb dating on Late Carboniferous to Early Permian successions in the southern Ordos neighboring the northern Qinling-Dabie. New provenance data reveal a significant provenance shift at the Carboniferous-Permian transition. The older Benxi Formation was sourced southerly from the North Qinling Terrane that provided detritus mostly of Neoproterozoic and Early Paleozoic ages. In contrast, Early Permian samples yield age relation dominated by Neoarchean, Paleoproterozoic, Early Paleozoic, and Late Paleozoic age populations, with a significant gap of ca. 1600–550 Ma, implying a sediment derivation from the Inner Mongolia Continental Arc. This shift is further verified by paleocurrent transition from south to north then. We suggest that the North Qinling Terrane experienced a significant uplift history from ca. 500 Ma and remained as a highland until end-Carboniferous. From Early Permian, the North Qinling Terrane was submerged, covered by widespread deltaic sedimentation there. Northerly source from the Inner Mongolia Continental Arc began to be accumulated in the northern flank of the North Qinling Terrane, before termination approximately along the southern North Qinling Terrane, where shallow-water carbonate shelf sedimentation sustained from Devonian to Triassic. This new finding indicates that uplift of the North Qinling Terrane lasted about 150 Ma after the Proto-Tethys Ocean closure.

The size of basalt fragments in Chang'E-5 (CE-5) regolith are small (< 6 mm²), resulting in large variation on the estimated bulk composition of CE-5 basalt. For example, the estimated TiO₂ content of CE-5 basalt ranges from 3.7 wt% to 12.7 wt% and the Mg# (molar percentage of Mg/[Mg + Fe]) also shows a wide range (26.2 − 42.4). Preliminary experimental studies have shown that these geochemical characteristics of CE-5 basalt are critical for investigating the crystallization sequence and formation mechanism of its parent magma. This study presents new experimental data on the distribution coefficient of titanium between pyroxene and lunar basaltic magma . Combining with available literature data, we confirm that is affected by crystallization conditions such as pressure and temperature, but it is mainly controlled by the CaO content of pyroxene. Comparing with previous experimental results under similar conditions, we parameterized the effect as , where X_CaO is the CaO content in pyroxene in weight percentage. The new experimental results suggest that pyroxene with high TiO₂ content (> 2.5 wt%) in CE-5 basalt is not a product of equilibrium crystallization, and the CaO content in pyroxene is also affected by cooling rate of its parent magma. The TiO₂ content in the CE-5 parent magma is estimated to be about 5 wt% based on the Mg# of pyroxene and its calculated CaO content, which is consistent with those estimated from olivine grains.

The Cretaceous Koum Basin is a rift-related half-graben in northern Cameroon, which constitutes a portion of the Yola Arm of the Upper Benue Trough. This study presents the first comprehensive dataset combining mineralogical, bulk-rock geochemical, and stable C–H–O isotopic data for dark-gray, fine-grained mudstones from the basin, providing new insights into its sediment source, paleoenvironment, and geodynamic setting. The mudstones primarily consist of phyllosilicates (~ 8.6%), feldspars (~ 30.5%), carbonates (~ 13.7%), and minor iron oxides (~ 2.7%), with vermiculite, illite, and kaolinite as the main clay minerals. The presence of analcime, ankerite, and dolomite suggests low-grade metamorphism and/or hydrothermal alteration. Fe₂O₃/K₂O (1.52–6.40) and SiO₂/Al₂O₃ (2.97–4.68) ratios classify the mudstones as compositionally immature shales (ICV ~ 1.64) with low-moderate chemical weathering (CIA ~ 56.35; PIA ~ 59.74; R³⁺/R³⁺ + R²⁺ + M⁺ ~ 0.51). Trace element ratios (Th/Sc ~ 1.70, Zr/Sc ~ 1.33, La/Sc ~ 6.30, La/Th ~ 4.14) indicate an intermediate igneous provenance from a continental crustal source. Paleoenvironmental proxies suggest deposition in a dynamic basin environment marked by fluctuating redox (C_org/P: 0.21–178.34) and salinity (Sr/Ba: 0.34–3.25; N-values: 48–35.92) conditions, ranging from oxic to anoxic and brackish to saline. Major element data (SiO₂ vs. Al₂O₃ + K₂O + Na₂O) indicate a semi-arid regime, while Paleoclimatic indicators such as Sr/Cu (1.88–37.47) and C-values (0.12–0.93) suggests alternating humid and arid conditions. Notably, stable isotope data, reported here for the first time in the Koum Basin, reveal a predominantly terrestrial, fluvial-deltaic C₃ plant source for organic carbon (δ¹³C − 25.2‰ to − 35.2‰) and complex fluid-rock interactions involving meteoric and magmatic-metamorphic fluids under a warm, equatorial climate (δ¹⁸O + 3.6‰ to + 24.9‰, δ²H − 104‰ to − 50‰). The combined mineralogical, geochemical, and isotopic data point to deposition in a tectonically active continental arc setting, with contributions from ocean island arc and passive margin sources.

NWA 16080 is a representative reduced CV carbonaceous chondrite (CV_red), consisting mainly of chondrules (47 vol%) and matrix (42 vol%), along with minor quantities of calcium- and aluminum-rich inclusions (CAI) and amoeboid olivine aggregates (AOA) (CAI + AOA, 6 vol%) and opaque minerals (5 vol%). The chondrules exhibit well-preserved outlines and can be categorized into Type I (Fa < 10) and Type II (Fa > 10). They primarily consist of magnesium-rich olivine, along with both low-Ca and high-Ca pyroxenes, and contain minor amounts of secondary plagioclase. Olivines present in chondrules display compositional zoning characterized whereas the matrix is composed of fine-grained olivine. Nickel-rich metal and nickel-poor sulfides are also present, along with trace amounts of magnetite. In contrast to standard oxidized CV chondrites (CV_ox), the presence of high metal, Ni-poor sulfides, and reduced magnetite in NWA 16080 indicates a more reduced parent-body environment. Shock metamorphism is classified as mild (S1), while terrestrial weathering is characterized as low (W2). Raman spectroscopy indicates a diverse spectrum of organic matter (OM) maturity: certain areas exhibit characteristics akin to other CV_red chondrites, whereas others reach maturity levels comparable to those observed in CV_ox chondrites. The Raman parameters indicate that this meteorite is classified as approximately type 3.4 to 3.5. The overlapping OM maturity with certain CV_ox chondrites provides a contradiction to the anticipated depth-thermal layering outlined in the onion-shell model. This suggests that the CV parent body probably experienced more intricate processes, including impacts and fluid-rock interactions, rather than merely depth-dependent heating.

Pollution of transboundary rivers can result from anthropogenic activities in their watersheds. In this study, sediment traps were deployed to determine the fluxes, concentrations, and health risks associated with arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead, and iron in the estuaries of three transboundary rivers (Comoé, Bia, and Tanoé) in West Africa. Thus, the analysis of metal-associated sedimentation particle samples collected in rainy, flood, and dry seasons was required. Sediment traps were used to calculate the metal fluxes associated with sedimentation particles towards the Atlantic Ocean. Finally, the carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks of ingestion and dermal contact associated with sedimentation particles were assessed. The results showed that the total concentrations of trace metals in particulate matter were higher than in the UCC (Upper Crust Continental), with the exception of lead. The highest fluxes of lead, mercury, iron and arsenic associated with sedimented particles were observed during flood periods in the estuary of the Comoé, Bia and Tanoé rivers. Cadmium fluxes associated with sedimentation particles were highest in the rainy season in the Bia and Comoé estuaries and in the flood season in the Tanoé estuary. Pearson's correlation analysis and the enrichment factor showed that the trace metals were derived from anthropogenic activities such as mining and farming. In addition, contamination indices showed that sediment particles in the estuaries of the three rivers were severely contaminated with mercury. However, the results of potential human health risks associated with trace metals show that there is no probability of exposure of the community to harmful and carcinogenic effects through ingestion and dermal absorption of sediment particles. It is essential to integrate the information from this study into policy- and decision-making processes for better management of transboundary river water resources in coastal countries, particularly the Côte d'Ivoire.

With the development of aviation, superconducting, and other steel industries, the demand for niobium (Nb) has significantly increased worldwide, positioning it as a critical strategic metal. The Bayan Obo rare-earth elements (REE)-Nb-iron (Fe) deposit contains over 70% of China’s Nb resources and hosts the world's largest reserves of REE. However, due to technical and environmental challenges, a substantial portion of the Nb resources remains underutilized and stored in tailings. Research and development of efficient, environmentally friendly, low-energy consumption, and less complex methods for extracting Nb from the Bayan Obo tailings possess significant scientific value and strategic importance. This paper reviews the current research status and distinctive geological and mineralogical characteristics of Nb resources in the Bayan Obo deposit, as well as existing pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical technologies for extracting Nb from ores and tailings, subsequently comparing their advantages to guide the development of new processes. Based on a comprehensive consideration of the technical, economic, environmental, quality, and safety aspects, it is suggested that future research should prioritize establishing a systematic recommendation procedure for targeted Nb-bearing mineral characterization and analysis for the Bayan Obo tailings, developing fluoride-free or low-fluoride hydrometallurgical techniques, and exploring innovative methods for Nb mineral coarsening. This review thus provides new insights into the efficient utilization of the Bayan Obo Nb resources and supports the development of innovative and effective strategies for optimizing Nb extraction from ores and tailings.

Elemental concentrations of the siliciclastic sediments from a sedimentary basin provide clues on paleoweathering, paleoclimate, provenance, and tectonic setting of the basin. Records for Permo–Triassic mass extinction and climatic fluctuations are commonly traced from the sediments in the Gondwana basins. Nevertheless, our understanding on sedimentation, provenance, and regional tectonics of the Raniganj Basin, a Gondwana basin in the eastern India is poor. Minerals including clay particles and major and trace element concentrations of the siliciclastic sediments from different formations of the Raniganj Basin have been studied to establish the paleo-weathering, paleoclimate, provenance, and tectonic settings of the basin. This study suggests that the Talchir Formation experienced cold and dry climatic conditions at the sediment source area, while the Barakar, Raniganj, and Panchet formations had prevailing semiarid climates. The sources of the siliciclastic sediments are from the felsic rocks of the Chotanagpur Granite Gneissic Complex (CGGC). Further, the geochemical results suggest a rift-like (passive) tectonic setting for the Raniganj Basin, while few samples represent the collision tectonic setting of the basement CGGC, formed due to collision of major Indian blocks during the Paleo-Neoproterozoic time.

Mining activities are often associated with significant environmental degradation, particularly due to the accumulation of mine tailings (MTs). These waste materials are frequently stored in dams or open ponds without adequate treatment, posing serious risk of heavy metals (HMs) contamination to surrounding ecosystems. Given these challenges, restoration of MTs to mitigate their negative impacts has become highly important. This study attempts to compile different types of MTs, their characteristics, and associated issues such as acid mine drainage (AMD) and HMs contamination, along with other environmental impacts. It also explores the fundamentals of phytoremediation, highlighting key processes, recent advancements, benefits, limitations, and strategies for post-harvest management. The findings indicate that MTs are a major source of HM pollution and contribute significantly to environmental deterioration. Phytoremediation has emerged as a promising, cost-effective, and eco-friendly solution for MT restoration. In addition to mitigating contamination, phytoremediation enhances soil quality, prevents erosion, reduces HM leaching into groundwater, and improves the visual appeal of degraded sites. Research suggests that revegetating MT-contaminated soils with specific plant species can effectively remediate these areas, reducing HM leaching risks while improving soil properties. This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers working on MT restoration, offering insights into the latest advancements in phytoremediation technology and its potential to address the environmental challenges posed by MTs.

This review critically examines strategies for sustainable groundwater and surface water management, emphasizing their integration to achieve environmental sustainability. The study synthesizes findings from a wide range of research articles, identifying key trends, gaps, and controversies within the field. It highlights the importance of cohesive management approaches that take into account climate change, policy impacts, and methodological advancements. The review aims to provide a structured, analytical discussion that aligns with the thematic focus of integrated water management. By offering original insights and practical recommendations, this review seeks to contribute to the development of more effective and sustainable water management practices. The analysis underscores the necessity of interdisciplinary approaches that integrate hydrological, ecological, and socio-economic factors. Furthermore, the review discusses the role of adaptive management and technological innovations in enhancing the resilience and efficiency of water management systems. The findings suggest that a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between groundwater and surface water is crucial for developing strategies that ensure long-term environmental sustainability. This review concludes with recommendations for future research and policy development, emphasizing the need for adaptive, resilient, and integrated water management strategies that can address the challenges posed by climate change and other environmental pressures.

The Suizhou meteorite is a heavily shock-metamorphosed L6 chondrite which contains thin shock melt veins. So far, 26 high-pressure phases have been identified from the meteorite. Among the high-pressure phases, ten of them were approved as new minerals which include tuite, xieite, wangdaodeite, chenmingite, hemleyite, poirierite, asimowite, hiroseite, elgoresyite, and ohtaniite, by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association. Other high-pressure phases identified from the meteorite are ahrensite, akimotoite, bridgmanite, lingunite, magnesiowüstite, majorite, majorite–pyropess, maskelynite, riesite, ringwoodite, wadsleyite, and 5 other phases including phase A, vitrified phase B and phase C, phase D (Ca-rich majorite), and partly inverted ringwoodite. The occurrence and abundance of high-pressure phases makes this meteorite the one with the richest variety of high-pressure minerals to date.