Journal of Geography, Environment and Earth Science International

Evaluation of Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Water in Pariyaram Panchayath, Thrissur District, Following the 2018 Kerala Flood

M. Saravanan, A. Prasad, B. Vigneshwaran — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Floods are among the most destructive natural disasters, significantly affecting water quality and ecosystem stability. The present study evaluated the impact of the 2018 Kerala flood on the physico-chemical characteristics of water in flood-affected and unaffected areas of Pariyaram Panchayat, Thrissur district. Water samples were collected from affected wards and a control (unaffected) ward and analyzed for key parameters including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, alkalinity, hardness, chloride, phosphate, and nitrate using standard analytical methods. The results revealed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in pH, turbidity, and alkalinity, along with a significant increase in chloride levels in flood-affected areas compared to the control. However, EC, TDS, hardness, phosphate, and nitrate did not show significant variation between the two groups. Despite these changes, all measured parameters remained within permissible limits of international drinking water standards. The observed variations indicate the influence of flood-induced processes such as organic matter decomposition, sedimentation, and contamination from surface runoff. Overall, the findings suggest that while floods can alter water quality, the long-term impacts may be moderate due to natural recovery mechanisms. Continuous monitoring and appropriate management strategies are essential to ensure safe water for livestock and human consumption in flood-prone regions.

Geospatial Assessment of Land Use and Land Cover Transformation and its Implications for Urban Growth in Jalandhar District, Punjab, India

Shivjeet Kaur, Kamalpreet Singh, Raghav Sharma — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Land-use and land-cover changes reflect human-environment interactions, affecting agriculture, ecology, and sustainability. In Punjab, GIS and remote sensing are vital for monitoring these transformations.

Aims: The purpose of this study is to examine spatio-temporal land use and land cover (LULC) in Jalandhar district, Punjab, and to evaluate how urban growth has affected agricultural land use in the area between 2001 and 2021.

Study Design: The research is based on a geospatial study using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to assess land-use changes over time.

Place and Duration of Study: Jalandhar district, Punjab, India, between the years 2001 and 2021.

Methodology: It used multi-temporal Landsat data (Landsat-5 TM in 2001 and 2021) with a 30 m spatial resolution. The Maximum Likelihood algorithm was used to classify the supervised data into five major LULC categories: water bodies, built-up area, barren land, forest/vegetation, and cultivated land. To measure land-use transitions, change detection analysis and a transformation matrix were used. The accuracy evaluation has been performed using a confusion matrix, overall accuracy, and the Kappa coefficient.

Results: According to the findings, cultivated land was the largest land-use category, accounting for 74.54% and 73.29% in 2001 and 2021, respectively. The built-up area doubled to 21.29%, indicating rapid urban growth. Barren land decreased, and became 1.37, and forest/vegetation cover was comparatively steady, decreasing by 3.20. According to the transformation matrix, about 296.11 km2 of built-up areas were developed out of cultivated lands, which is the largest land transformation in the district.

Conclusion: The paper emphasizes the rising intensity of urbanization on farmland and its effects on environmental sustainability. These results underline the importance of proper land-use planning and the applicability of remote sensing and GIS in overseeing land-use processes and promoting sustainable regional development.

Gender Dynamics and Socio-Economic Implications of Household Water Collection in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Meshach O. Ojile, Zipuamere F. Afenfia, Francis T. Disi — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Despite the high hydrological density of the Niger Delta, household water insecurity remains a critical driver of time-poverty and socio-economic inequality. This study provides an empirical assessment of the gendered dynamics and socio-economic implications of water collection across eight Local Government Areas (LGAs) headquarters in Bayelsa State. Moving beyond global generalizations, the research investigates the "paradox of plenty" where abundant surface water fails to translate into domestic security. A multi-stage, cross-sectional descriptive survey of 395 households was employed; this design was specifically selected to facilitate a comparative analysis across diverse riverine, semi-urban and urban strata, utilizing structured questionnaires and contextual qualitative interviews to capture "invisible" labour patterns. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 26.0. Results from 157 primary collectors revealed a nuanced gendered distribution: adult females (34%), male children (24%), and adult males (21%). Crucially, Chi-square tests (p = 0.061) revealed no statistically significant association between gender and responsibility across most locations, challenging the global "feminization of water" narrative. This suggests that in the Bayelsa context, extreme infrastructural deficits transcend gender roles, forcing a "collective household survival" model. However, the socio-economic toll remains skewed, with 68% citing physical strain and 16% reporting harassment, directly impeding education and income-generation. The study concludes that water collection in the region is a survival-driven labour activity rather than a socially assigned gender role, dictated by failed utility infrastructure. Addressing this crisis, therefore, requires more than technical engineering; it demands gender-sensitive WASH policies that recognize the "silent" labour of women and children. By improving proximate access to water, the state can effectively redistribute household labour, mitigating the physical and safety risks that currently accumulate unevenly among the most vulnerable household members.

Relationship between River Flow Volumes and Changes in Land Cover, Land Use and Climate in the Mara Basin (1983- 2014)

Isaac Ayuyo, Clifford Okembo — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Mara River Basin, a critical transboundary system within the Lake Victoria and Nile basins, sustains the globally renowned Mara–Serengeti ecosystem and diverse indigenous livelihoods. Land cover change, land use dynamics, and climate variability are recognized globally as the major drivers of hydrological instability and ecosystem stress. Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts due to widespread poverty and reliance on rain-fed agriculture. In East Africa, recurrent droughts and floods have been widely reported, with climate variability exerting strong pressure on water resources. The Mau Forest Complex in Kenya is facing deforestation despite being a vital water tower regulating flows into the Mara River thus, further destabilizes the Mara River hydrological regimes. Rapid population growth and land use conversion have driven forest excision and encroachment into fragile ecosystems, directly reducing river flow volumes. This study employed the use of Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) hydrological model, Multiple Regression and Correlation analysis, ANOVA, and scatter plot visualization to examine relationships between water yields and predictor variables of land use, land cover, and climate using long-term datasets (1983–2014) and projections to 2030. Results revealed a perfect model fit (R² = 1.000), with rainfall explaining 93% of river flow variability (r = 0.939, p = 0.010). Temperature (r = 0.061, p = 0.461) and forest cover (r = -0.670, p = 0.108) showed weaker, non-significant effects, though forest cover exhibited an inverse relationship with flows due to infiltration and evapotranspiration dynamics. ANOVA confirmed significant differences in water yields across land cover scenarios, while scatter plots provided visual validation of rainfall’s dominant influence. In summary, rainfall is the primary driver of flow variability, while land use and cover changes exacerbate extremes. Sustaining the Mara River’s ecological and hydrological functions requires urgent conservation measures, integrated watershed management, and climate adaptation strategies informed by both global science and local realities.

Emergence of Wetland Neighbourhoods in Port Harcourt and the Challenge to the Urban Planner

E. N. Le-ol Anthony, D. Kio-Lawson, Visigah, Kpobari Peter — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Rapid urban expansion and land-use changes have increasingly encroached upon wetland ecosystems, leading to their degradation and loss, particularly in developing regions where planning control is limited. In cities like Port Harcourt, this has resulted in a transition from informal wetland settlements to more structured residential developments, raising critical concerns for sustainable urban planning and environmental management. This study examines the emergence and expansion of wetland neighbourhoods in Port Harcourt, focusing on their spatial patterns, socio-economic characteristics, underlying drivers, and implications for urban planning. Rapid urbanization, rising land values, and increasing housing costs within the formal urban core have intensified pressure on marginal lands, leading to settlement growth in environmentally sensitive wetland areas. A mixed-method approach was adopted, combining 131 structured questionnaires across six purposively selected neighbourhoods with field observations and geospatial analysis. Spatial techniques, including a distance matrix, were used to assess the relationship between settlement location and proximity to major road infrastructure. Findings reveal that wetland neighbourhoods are increasingly occupied by middle-income residents, indicating a transition from traditional low-income informal settlements to more hybrid development forms. Key drivers include housing affordability constraints, accessibility to transport corridors, availability of low-cost land, and weak development control mechanisms. Despite their accessibility, these neighbourhoods exhibit planning deficiencies such as irregular layouts, inadequate infrastructure, encroachment into drainage channels, and heightened flood vulnerability. The study concludes that wetland urbanization reflects structural housing and governance challenges and underscores the need for integrated, risk-sensitive planning approaches supported by geospatial technologies.

Street Vending and Public Space Governance in Bamenda City, Cameroon: Survival Strategies and Urban Planning Challenges

Belinda Ntsiendie Njofie, Nadine Yemelong Temgoua, Aristide Yemmafouo — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The nexus between rapid urbanisation and persistent economic hardship has intensified the use of public spaces for informal commercial activities in many Cameroonian cities. In Bamenda City, street vending has emerged as a crucial survival strategy for a large fraction of the urban population, particularly amid rising unemployment and declining formal economic opportunities. Notwithstanding its importance for livelihoods, street vending continues to generate recurring conflicts related to space use, urban planning, sanitation, traffic congestion, and municipal governance. This study examines the major challenges faced by street vendors in their daily use of public spaces and explores feasible strategies supporting livelihood sustainability and economic growth within these spaces. Both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were employed, involving field observation, interviews with vendors, and consultation with the main resource persons. Both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were employed, involving field observation, interviews with vendors, and consultation with key informants. Data were analysed using descriptive, qualitative, and spatial techniques. The study identifies major challenges, including spatial congestion, inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, weak regulatory enforcement, and limited participation of vendors in urban planning processes within market arenas. Findings further reveal the existence of a wide range of socio-economic activities (with street vending constituting 38.6%), serving as livelihood strategies for vendors. However, the continued marginalisation of informal economic activities within Bamenda City's governance frameworks exacerbates tension and undermines effective public space management. The study argues that inclusive urban planning, the creation of designated vending zones, improved market infrastructure, participatory governance, and a balanced regulatory framework are essential for harmonising vendor activities with broader urban development goals. By integrating informal economic actors into city planning in a manner that upholds the Afro-Endogenous development approach, Bamenda City can enhance social inclusion, urban functionality, and strengthen the resilience and adaptability of local economic growth. Such measures are essential for fostering social stability, economic resilience, and the harmonious use of public spaces.

Epidote-and Plumose Quartz-bearing Granodiorites of the Hayuliang Granitoids, Arunachal Pradesh, India: Mineral Chemistry and Petrogenetic implications

Laishram Sherjit Singh, Khuraijam Mohon Singh — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Hayuliang granitoids are the products of felsic/acidic magmatism in and around Hayuliang locality (study area). It is a part of the Lohit Plutonic Complex (also known as Mishmi massif) which is located at the Trans-Himalayan belt of Arunachal Himalayas. Granodiorites containing magmatic epidotes and plumose quartz provide critical constraints on magma oxidation state and depth of emplacement. The Hayuliang granitoids of Arunachal Pradesh, NE India represent a distinctive suite of calc-alkaline granodiorites characterized by the stable coexistence of epidote and plumose quartz. Petrographic study of granodiorites reveals characteristic plumose extensional fracture patterns and radiating feather-like growths developed on healed microfractures. EPMA spot analyses of multiple plumose domains in granodiorites show high silica contents (SiO₂ 93-100 wt%), consistent with nearly pure quartz overgrowth. Plumose overgrowths indicate multiple pulses of metasomatism and episodic fluid flow contemporaneous with late-stage cooling and emplacement related stress release. These findings highlight the role of brittle-hydrothermal processes in modifying granitoid textures and provide a micro-structural framework for interpreting episodic fluids activity in shallow magmatic system. EPMA data indicates moderate pistacite contents (Ps 20 -30%), low Ti and Mn, and systematic Fe³⁺-Al substitution in epidote, consistent with a primary to late magmatic origin. Discrimination diagrams based on epidote mineral chemistry and whole-rock tectonic plots collectively suggest crystallization from oxidize, water-rich I-type magmas emplaced at mid-crustal depths in a convergent margin tectonic settings. Major oxides, trace elements, rare earth elements (REEs), CIPW norms and elemental ratios are used to constrain magma type, petrogenesis and tectonic setting. The aim of the present study is to analyse the petrography, whole rock geochemistry and mineral chemistry of epidote- and plumose quartz- bearing granodiorites by using petrological microscope, XRF and ICPMS to arrive the possible petrogenesis of Hayuliang granitoids.

Environmental and Public Health Implications of Waste Management Practices in Ebonyi State, Nigeria: Evidence from a Cross-sectional Survey of Residents

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Municipal waste continues to increase daily due to the rapid growth of industrialisation and urbanisation, inadequate infrastructure, and ineffective enforcement of environmental laws, which have contributed to indiscriminate waste disposal. Poor waste management practices in Nigeria pose significant environmental and public health risks. This study examines residents' perceptions of waste management practices in Ebonyi State, their impacts, and the associated challenges. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 453 randomly selected residents across Abakaliki metropolis and surrounding areas using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, thematic analysis, and Pearson's chi-square test. The results revealed that domestic waste constituted 72% of the generated waste. Only 54.7% of respondents had access to designated public waste bins or dumpsites. Residents without designated waste bins or dumpsites practised significantly higher rates of open dumping (50%) and burning (39%) than those with designated bins/dumpsites (31%). Air pollution (73%), littering in public places (67%), water pollution (58%), and soil pollution (35%) were identified as the major environmental impacts. Similarly, malaria (69%), diarrhoea/dysentery (48%), cough (43%), cholera (32%), and skin diseases (29%) were identified as the major health effects caused by poor waste disposal in the state. However, when comparing the two categories, results showed that environmental effects and disease outbreaks resulting from poor waste disposal are significantly worse in areas without public waste bins or dumpsites, with P-values <0.05. The key challenges included inadequate waste collection and disposal systems (73%), lack of proper waste recycling facilities (69%), weak enforcement (64%), and insufficient public awareness (50%). However, opportunities exist through circular economy approaches, such as recycling and waste-to-energy initiatives, which can reduce environmental and public health risks while creating economic benefits. Therefore, stricter enforcement of EBSEPA laws, public education campaigns, and the provision of more waste collection and functional recycling facilities are recommended to improve waste management systems in the state.

Socioeconomic and Environmental Co-benefits of Soil Carbon Sequestration in Farmland Systems: A Review

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Soil carbon sequestration in farmland systems is increasingly promoted as a “win–win” strategy for climate mitigation, food security and rural development. While global debates often emphasize the biophysical potential to store more carbon in agricultural soils, the broader environmental and socioeconomic co-benefits are at least as important for farmers and policy makers. This review synthesizes recent evidence on how practices that increase soil organic carbon (SOC)—including conservation agriculture, diversified rotations, organic amendments, cover crops and agroforestry—alter soil functions, ecosystem services and farm livelihoods. We first clarify conceptual debates around additionality, permanence and saturation of soil carbon, and link SOC to the emerging soil health paradigm. We then examine environmental co-benefits such as improved soil structure and fertility, enhanced water regulation, reduced erosion, biodiversity support and resilience to climatic extremes. Subsequently, we assess socioeconomic co-benefits, including yield and yield stability gains, risk reduction, input savings, options for participation in carbon markets and payments for ecosystem services, and wider rural development effects. We highlight that co-benefits are highly context-dependent and can be offset by trade-offs, for example, increased nitrous oxide emissions, higher labor demand or unequal access to carbon finance. Measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) frameworks still struggle to capture co-benefits in a robust yet practical way, especially for smallholder systems. The review concludes that soil carbon should be framed as an entry point to transform farmland management towards soil health and resilience rather than as a narrow carbon offset commodity. Doing so requires integrated policies, inclusive governance of carbon markets and targeted research on context-specific benefit–risk profiles.

Assessing Radioactive Risks in India: An Integrative Review of Environmental Sources, Public Health Implications, and Policy Responses

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This review evaluates the risks posed by natural and anthropogenic radioactive materials and explores methods for their assessment and control, aiming to inform strategies for environmental safety and public health protection. India faces significant radioactive hazards from both natural and human-made sources. Certain regions, particularly Kerala and Tamil Nadu, exhibit naturally high radiation levels due to thorium-rich monazite sands containing uranium-238 (U-238), thorium-232 (Th-232), and potassium-40 (K-40). Additionally, industrial activities such as uranium mining, coal-based power generation, and excessive use of phosphate fertilizers contribute to environmental contamination, increasing radiation exposure risks. This study examines the sources, distribution, and health impacts of radioactive hazards across different Indian states. Key radiological indices—including radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rates, and hazard indices—are reviewed to evaluate potential risks. Prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation is associated with severe health consequences, including cancer, genetic mutations, respiratory diseases, and reproductive disorders. Furthermore, radioactive contamination degrades soil fertility, pollutes water sources, disrupts agricultural productivity, and threatens biodiversity. To address these challenges, the paper recommends stricter monitoring systems, improved radioactive waste management, and enhanced public health measures. Transitioning to cleaner energy alternatives and implementing stricter industrial regulations can help reduce radiation exposure. Public awareness campaigns are also essential to educate communities about radiation risks and preventive measures. By adopting a proactive approach, India can mitigate radioactive hazards, ensuring environmental sustainability and safeguarding public health.