Earth and Environmental Sciences

Seagrass meadows are increasingly recognised as important blue carbon ecosystems, yet large uncertainties in regional sedimentary organic carbon (C org ) stocks limit their inclusion in greenhouse gas accounting. Northern Ireland supports extensive seagrass meadows across diverse hydrogeomorphic settings but lacks empirically derived carbon stock estimates. Here, we present the first regionally representative assessment of sedimentary C org storage in Northern Ireland seagrass meadows. Sediment cores were collected from nine intertidal and subtidal meadows and analysed for carbon content, sediment properties, and stable carbon isotopes, with adjacent unvegetated sediments used as references where available. Sediment C org stocks to 1 m depth averaged 109.7 ± 18.9 Mg C ha -1 but varied by more than an order of magnitude among sites (18.6 - 280.8 Mg C ha -1 ). Seagrass sediments retained higher carbon at depth than unvegetated sediments, indicating enhanced burial and carbon permanence, although surface carbon enhancement was highly site dependent. Multivariate analyses identified sediment properties, used as proxies for hydrodynamic setting, as dominant factors influencing carbon storage, with fine-grained, low-energy systems supporting substantially higher stocks per hectare than more exposed, coarse-grained environments. Stable isotope mixing models showed that sediment carbon commonly comprised a mixture of seagrass-derived and allochthonous material, indicating that high carbon stocks are not restricted to autochthonous production alone. These results show that seagrass carbon storage in Northern Ireland is highly heterogeneous, influenced by physical setting rather than seagrass presence alone, and must be represented using stratified, regionally resolved approaches in blue carbon accounting.

The pygmy killer whale (Feresa attenuata) is among the globally rarest delphinid species, typically occurring in offshore tropical and subtropical waters. Its distribution in the North Atlantic remains poorly understood and is largely based on isolated sightings and stranding events. In Europe, the species conservation status has been classified as “Not Applicable” under regional IUCN assessments. Within Macaronesia, records are limited to sporadic sightings in Madeira, the Canary Islands, and Cabo Verde. Here, we report the first three records of pygmy killer whales from the Azores, all of which occurred in early summer 2024 during whale-watching trips. Encounters took place on 20 June off the north coast of São Miguel Island, on 25 June south of Pico Island, and on 2 July south of São Miguel Island, each involving a pod of similar size (20–30 individuals). Individuals exhibited characteristically frenetic and elusive behaviour, limiting detailed assessments of group structure and photo-identification. The first sighting provided photographic confirmation of species identification, additionally documenting characteristic calf facial pigmentation. Although photographic documentation was limited during subsequent encounters, combined visual observations and supporting evidence provide strong confidence in species identification. Given the scarcity of verified records at higher latitudes, these sightings may represent the northernmost confirmed occurrences of pygmy killer whales to date. These observations highlight the value of whale-watching platforms for detecting rare species and monitoring large-scale shifts in cetacean distribution.

The sustainability of the blue economy is at risk due to the harmful effects of marine plastic pollution on aquatic ecosystems and coastal communities. Plastics release toxic chemicals into the environment, pollute coastlines, and harm fisheries, aquaculture, and shellfish beds. The practical implementation of the recently proposed Integrated Marine Debris Observing System requires comprehensive knowledge of pollution inputs, which vary in space, time, and intensity. Plastic emissions from coastal populations in the Mediterranean were identified as the primary source of plastic pollution in the basin. Data from the NASA/NOAA Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Day/Night Band (DNB) onboard the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Platform (SNPP) were used as indicators for population-related plastic fluxes into the Mediterranean. An original algorithm distributed a predefined total annual plastic flux proportionally to nighttime lights along a coastal belt, also considering country-specific correction factors based on Human Development Indices. The average plastic fluxes for 2015–2024, measured in kg per day, were represented at a horizontal resolution of 15 arcseconds. Our analysis showed that plastic fluxes from coastal populations of Italy, Spain, and Egypt mainly contributed to the Mediterranean Sea. To demonstrate the main algorithmic features, the spatial variability of fluxes along Sicily’s coastlines was examined closely. Comparison of our results with the mass budget components obtained independently along the Barcelona coastline showed good consistency. Following the international FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), the data is freely available and ready for use for modeling and source-specific observation planning. For the user’s convenience, two datasets were provided: one with and one without the country-specific correction. This allows for quick re-normalization of flux values when new information about the total annual fluxes or correction principles becomes available. Our datasets require caution when used, as they are not fully validated products but rather experimental. The reported methodology is applicable to any area and allows further implementation related to advances in the representation of plastic sources.

Anthropogenic stressors are impacting the structure and function of natural ecosystems worldwide. Functionally important soft-sediment ecosystems in estuaries are under threat from multiple stressors, including sea-level rise. Understanding and predicting the impacts of sea-level rise on benthic communities is an important challenge. Here we provide the results of a global meta-analysis, based on more than 900 data points worldwide, analysing the relationships between environmental variables, macrofauna community, and ecosystem function metrics from estuarine intertidal and subtidal zones. Intertidal and subtidal zones in estuaries were found to be significantly different in terms of macrobenthic community composition and ecosystem function. The differences in the relationships between environmental variables, macrofauna community composition, and ecosystem function indicates a complex set of relationships that are likely to be impacted by periodic exposure to air (intertidal) versus permanent inundation (subtidal). These results indicate that physical setting (intertidal or subtidal) impacts a hierarchy of processes influencing ecosystem function, altering not only individual variables but interactions and feedback mechanisms. We found that the limiting effects of sediment mud and organic content on macrobenthic communities varied between intertidal and subtidal zones, where richness and abundance were limited at lower levels of mud in the intertidal relative to the subtidal. We found that measures of macrofaunal may richness and abundance, as drivers of oxygen production and consumption, had different driver-response relationships in intertidal and subtidal zones. These differences in driver-response mechanisms between sedimentary environment, macrobenthic communities, and ecosystem functions based on physical setting suggest that, as intertidal zones transition to subtidal with increasing sea level rise, the net functions of estuaries could be fundamentally altered as structuring and feedback mechanisms adapt. This may lead to a net change in estuarine functioning worldwide, potentially reducing important ecosystem services such as food provisioning, nitrogen cycling and resilience to stressors. • >900 globally distributed datapoints from >280 journal articles • Intertidal zones host more abundant but less taxa-diverse macrofauna communities than subtidal zones • Macrofaunal richness and abundance show contrasting relationships with oxygen production and consumption in intertidal compared with subtidal zones. • Relationships between environment, community composition and ecosystem function metrics are complex and context dependent • Sea-level rise will likely impact macrofaunal communities and ecosystem function in estuaries around the world

Water quality (WQ) deterioration in marine-coastal areas (MCA) is among the main threats affecting socio-economic systems and ecosystem functioning, calling for urgent actions to preserve ecosystems' resilience. Nature-based Solutions (NBS) improve ecosystem resilience and biodiversity, transforming nature management while providing environmental and societal benefits. Yet, little is known on NBS capacity in reducing WQ deterioration. Understanding this nexus requires establishing functional relationships between marine ecosystems status and climatic and human pressures. The relationship between CC impacts and marine-coastal ecosystems is investigated through a spatio-temporal Bayesian Network model, which allows estimating the adverse effects of human-induced and climate pressures on seagrass meadows (Posidonia oceanica) along the Apulia coast (Italy). To this aim, both anthropogenic (e.g., land use, MPAs) and environmental data (e.g., nutrients, temperature, transparency) were integrated in the model, jointly combined at the coastal water bodies scale, and elicited by expert knowledge. Baseline environmental conditions were compared against 'what-if' scenarios, representing different climate conditions (RCP4.5 and 8.5), and three ecosystem services (ES - i.e., carbon sequestration, bioremediation and food provisioning) provided by seagrass meadows were assessed. Key results emphasize the main variables affecting the status of seagrass meadows both on land and sea, primarily depth, water transparency, and the presence/absence of protection actions along MCA. On the other hand, results from scenario analysis highlight that under RCP4.5 the environmental conditions remain more suitable for seagrass habitat survival and growth, compared to RCP8.5 in both 2050 and 2100. Moreover, the evaluation of ES was instrumental to quantify their multiple benefits for coastal communities and to provide representative figures for stakeholders and policymakers. This paves the way for integrating management actions, primarily linked to land-use changes and widening of MPAs, benefitting WQ conditions for P.oceanica status, while contributing to achieve the SDGs, and the Good Environmental Status as required by relevant EU legislation.

In the Seto Inland Sea (SIS), despite reductions in chemical oxygen demand (COD) loads from terrestrial sources, the attainment rate of environmental quality standards in coastal waters remains low, representing an ongoing management challenge. Autochthonous (phytoplankton primary production) and oceanic sources also impact the COD; however, the spatial and temporal distribution of organic matter by origin and their contribution to the total COD are not clearly understood. Therefore, this study clarified the spatial distribution and seasonal variation of COD by organic matter origin in the SIS. Numerical simulations using a three-dimensional hydrodynamic and ecosystem model classified organic carbon sources as terrestrial, autochthonous, or oceanic. The results show that terrestrial sources are localized in estuarine areas, contributing less than 10% to the total COD in offshore areas. In contrast, autochthonous matter is widely distributed from estuaries to offshore areas and is the largest contributor to total COD. Oceanic COD exhibits low seasonal variation and is uniform throughout the SIS at approximately 0.65 mg L −1 but contributes more than terrestrial COD in all sea areas. Additionally, refractory COD contributes more than 50% to the total COD in all seasons. These findings indicate that the widespread distribution of autochthonous COD and the background presence of oceanic COD are the key factors severely limiting the decrease in total COD levels in the SIS despite the significant reduction in terrestrial load. The results of this study provide valuable insights for evaluating water quality management strategies and environmental standards in enclosed seas. • The chemical oxygen demand (COD) in the Seto Inland Sea was analyzed • A 3D hydrodynamic model was built and results were compared to observation data • Autochthonous and oceanic organic loads contribute significantly to the total COD • Terrestrial organic sources have a high contribution to the COD of estuarine areas • Refractory matter account for >50% of the total COD in the SIS in all seasons.

• Total respiration of moss crust ( R total ) can be divided into moss ( R moss ) and microbial respiration ( R microbial ). • The biomass regression method can be used to distinguish the components of R total . • Soil water content and temperature regulate the variation in R moss and R microbial . • Estimated annual carbon (C) efflux of R total was 564 g m −2 yr −1 . • R moss and R microbial contribute equally to the annual C emissions of biocrusts (51% vs. 49%). As an important surface cover in drylands, biocrusts play a critical role in regulating regional carbon (C) emissions through respiration. However, the partitioning of biocrust soil respiration into its components (such as moss ( R moss ) and microbial respiration ( R microbial )) and their relative contributions to C efflux remain unclear. In this study, we conducted continuous measurements of respiration rates on moss crusts with different coverage (0, 5%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) over two growing seasons (2023–2024) on the Loess Plateau in northern China. Our results showed that the biomass regression method effectively partitioned R total into R moss and R microbial ( R 2 = 0.28–0.99), while a coupled soil water content–temperature model explained 65% and 41% of their variation, respectively. Soil water content showed an indirect positive association with R microbial via soil organic C content ( P < 0.001), whereas soil temperature showed an indirect negative association with R moss via soil water content and moss biomass ( P < 0.001). Model extrapolation estimated that an annual C efflux from moss crust was 564 g C m –2 yr –1 , with R moss and R microbial contributing 51% and 49%, respectively. Overall, our study reveals that biocrust respiration components ( R moss and R microbial ) contribute approximately equally to total C emissions and highlights their partitioning as critical for improving global dryland C cycle projections.

The interaction of magmas with host-rocks is a common process in magmatic systems. Interaction with carbonate-bearing lithologies is of major interest since the thermometamorphic reactions during magma‑carbonate interaction, may release CO₂ affecting eruptive behaviour. The Somma-Vesuvius volcanic system is built on a km-thick Mesozoic carbonate platform, with evidence of intense interaction in the form of carbonate-xenoliths in juvenile pumices and as skarns. Nevertheless, the timescales and mechanisms of magma‑carbonate interactions remain poorly constrained. Here we present an experimental study on the interaction of a dry Vesuvius' phonolite melt with a high-Ca limestone and a dolomitic limestone. We conducted the experiments in a piston cylinder apparatus at 600 MPa, temperatures of 950 °C and 1200 °C and interaction times of 0–60 min. Bubble nucleation (CO₂ release) has been observed in all experiments. The dolomitic limestone is assimilated via an AFC-process, creating a skarn-like assemblage of periclase-bearing dolomite, forsterite, clinopyroxene and a Ca + Mg-enriched melt. The high-Ca limestone exhibits a partial melting texture, that includes the formation of a Na-K-Ca chloride carbonate melt due to direct diffusive transport of alkalis and chlorine from the dry phonolite melt into the limestone. The melting of limestones at crustal conditions may affect magma differentiation trends in Campanian magmas, especially the Na₂O/K₂O ratio. The reported assimilation timescales of 30–60 min at 1200 °C for both limestones are however maximum estimates, as a dry phonolitic melt was used at pressures exceeding those to be expected in the Vesuvius plumbing system (<200 MPa). The presence of water would greatly accelerate limestone assimilation. • First experimental study on phonolite-carbonate interactions aimed at the Vesuvius' plumbing system • Limestone clast dissolution is predominantly controlled by diffusion and surface reaction kinetics as well as thermodynamic stability of the involved phases • Dolomitic limestones form skarn-like assemblages via an AFC-process, while high-Ca limestones melt at 1200 °C • Melt homogenisation is controlled by melt viscosity • First experimental evidence of a Na-K-Ca chloride carbonate melt occurring during magma-carbonate interactions

Determining the timing of mineralization in orogenic gold systems is a major challenge, given the difficulty of constraining fluid flow events and linking them to gold enrichment. However, it is critical for assessing whether world-class gold deposits result from a single mineralizing event or a multi-stage Au mobilization. In Paleoproterozoic settings, minerals suitable for precise dating of fluid flow are rare, and relying solely on intrusion-related geochronology may prove insufficient. In this context, combining detailed microstructural analysis with petrochronological data provides valuable insights into the tectonic and metallogenic evolution of deposits. In situ U−Pb dating was conducted on both zircon and apatite to investigate the timing of magmatism, deformation, and gold mineralization at Oko West, Guyana. Zircon and apatite ages from intrusive bodies indicate a magmatic event at ca. 2125 Ma, with apatite yielding the same age as that of zircon. Interpretation of the apatite U−Pb data set from mineralized volcano-sedimentary rocks was integrated with microstructural constraints on deformation and fluid flow. Apatite associated with metamorphic fluids and gold-bearing sulfidation records two successive stages at ca. 2100 Ma and ca. 2065 Ma, respectively. The clear temporal gap between the intrusion and the second mineralization stage supports the interpretation of at least two distinct geological events, the latter associated with post-magmatic gold mobilization. These results highlight the suitability of apatite U−Pb geochronology for resolving multi-stage gold deposition during the Rhyacian.

This study addresses the prediction of daily waste generation dynamics under data-limited conditions in a strategic watershed serving over 25 million residents. A machine learning framework is developed using daily proxies reconstructed from annual data (2019–2024) through an additive seasonal stochastic disaggregation approach, while maintaining consistency with official SIPSN records. Statistical analysis identifies the 2023 annual total as anomalous (+127.06% YoY) using the IQR method, while sensitivity tests to various parameter configurations indicate that the baseline setting (α = 0.95; σ_frac = 0.08) provides stable estimates. Four models—Random Forest, Support Vector Regression (SVR), XGBoost, and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM)—are evaluated using strict chronological partitioning to maintain temporal integrity. Results indicate that the evaluation reflects the model’s ability to reproduce synthetic proxies, rather than direct field observations. SVR performed best (R2 = 0.8157; RMSE = 881.43 t/day), outperforming the persistence baseline by +32.2%. After data leakage correction, XGBoost’s performance decreased significantly (R2 = 0.1591). Feature analysis confirmed the dominance of short-term statistical indicators, while the hierarchical bootstrap approach produced more comprehensive uncertainty estimates, with SVR remaining the most stable across seasons.

Contamination of soils by petroleum hydrocarbons is a long-standing environmental and public-health issue in oil-producing areas. This study compared natural attenuation and biostimulation using date palm waste for the remediation of crude-oil-contaminated soil collected near the North Oil Company facilities in Kirkuk, Iraq (0–10 cm). The experiment was conducted as an outdoor semi-field, pot study under a rain shelter over 160 days, using 2 kg of soil per pot; palm waste (&lt;5 mm) was added at 500 g per pot in the biostimulation treatment. This study provides preliminary semi-field evidence from Iraq using locally available date palm waste under semi-arid outdoor conditions. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC–FID) was used to measure total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH; C8–C40), while gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to measure 18 priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), grouped into 2–3- and 4–6-ring categories; the microbial number was measured as colony-forming units (CFU). Biostimulation reduced TPH from 38,751 mg kg−1 at day 0 to 9205 mg kg−1 by day 40 (76.2% reduction), which was later sustained to 4717 mg kg−1 by day 160 (87.8% reduction). Natural attenuation showed relatively slower and smaller reductions over the same period.

Poyang Lake represents China’s largest freshwater wetland. The wetland landscape has undergone substantial changes driven by climate change and intensive human activities. Nevertheless, long-term classified analyses of wetland evolution and quantitative assessments of its driving factors remain scarce in the region. Based on 21 Landsat images from 2000 to 2020, this study systematically examined the spatiotemporal dynamics of the wetland landscape. Analyses incorporated land-use dynamic degree, landscape metrics, transfer matrices, and standard deviational ellipses, with key driving forces identified via Pearson correlation and structural equation modeling. Results indicate a 3029.63 km2 reduction in wetland area, exhibiting contrasting trends between natural and artificial wetlands. The wetland centroid shifted 7.4 km southwestward. Connectivity of lake increased and fragmentation declined, whereas paddy field fragmentation intensified. Wetland evolution was predominantly driven by socioeconomic factors, whereas climate primarily influenced natural wetlands. The study elucidates the coupled effects of anthropogenic and natural factors, offering insights into wetland restoration and ecological security in the middle and lower Yangtze River. The findings suggest prioritizing natural wetland connectivity, controlling wetland-to-non-wetland conversion, and incorporating long-term remote-sensing monitoring into regional wetland restoration planning.

This manuscript addresses the challenge of designing low-carbon and climate-neutral landscapes. While gardens and green spaces are commonly perceived as environmentally beneficial, they may generate significant greenhouse gas emissions throughout their life cycle. Despite the widespread application of carbon footprint assessment in building design, its integration into landscape architecture remains limited. The aim of this study is to systematize the concept of the garden carbon footprint and to develop a coherent framework for its evaluation. The research adopts a conceptual synthesis approach based on an interdisciplinary literature review, supported by a simplified Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. A component-based model is proposed, integrating embodied carbon, operational emissions, and carbon sequestration. The results demonstrate that the carbon performance of designed landscapes varies significantly depending on design strategies and management approaches. Importantly, the findings confirm that climate neutrality may be possible under specific conditions, particularly at larger spatial scales. The proposed framework contributes to the integration of carbon footprint assessment into landscape design processes and supports the development of low-emission, climate-resilient solutions.

Urban park use is a key indicator of sustainable urban development, reflecting the accessibility and social value of urban green infrastructure. However, existing studies often struggle to distinguish stable spatial differences from short-term temporal dynamics. Using monthly data for 125 urban parks in Las Vegas from 2022 to 2024, this study examines how park visitation is shaped by spatial, temporal, and contextual factors. It addresses three objectives: identifying cross-park determinants of visitation, examining within-park monthly dynamics, and assessing spatial variation in key relationships. Park visitation is measured using observed visit counts, with dwell time and travel distance used as alternative behavioral outcomes for robustness tests. To address these research questions, this study asks: (1) what structural and contextual factors explain cross-park differences in park visitation; (2) how park visitation responds to changing contextual conditions within parks over time at the monthly scale; and (3) whether the relationships between park visitation and its key determinants vary across space. To answer these questions, the analysis combines annual cross-sectional ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, monthly panel models, Random Forest analysis, robustness tests, and geographically weighted regression. This study employs a triangulated analytical framework combining cross-sectional ordinary least squares (OLS) regression monthly fixed-effects (FE) panel models, and Random Forest (RF) analysis. These factors function as stable support for sustainable park use. Crime exposure shows no stable global linear effect, but its association with visitation appears conditional on temporal and spatial context. Overall, the findings suggest that park visitation is shaped by the interaction of physical design, safety conditions, and urban context. By explicitly separating cross-sectional spatial and economic inequalities from within-park temporal dynamics, this study offers policy-relevant evidence for urban planners and park managers seeking to promote more inclusive, efficient, and sustainable urban park systems through integrated design, economic activation, and safety-oriented interventions.

To alleviate the eutrophication in the Wuliangsuhai watershed and evaluate the pollutant reduction performance of ecological drainage ditches in the Hetao Irrigation District, a controlled field simulation experiment was conducted using synthetic agricultural return-flow water formulated from long-term monitoring data. Three leguminous plant treatments, two microbial substrate treatments, and one control were established to compare the migration and transformation of total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in overlying water, sediment, and plants under different hydraulic retention time intervals (0–6 h, 6–12 h, and 12–18 h). The results showed that plant treatments generally improved conventional water quality indicators, with increased pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) and decreased electrical conductivity, salinity, and total dissolved solids, whereas microbial substrate treatments tended to reduce DO. Pollutant reduction performance differed among treatments. Medicago sativa showed the strongest TN removal from overlying water, Microbial biological rope exhibited the best TP removal from overlying water, and Melilotus suaveolens performed best in COD reduction. Among all plant treatments, Astragalus laxmannii exhibited the most stable overall performance and a relatively strong integrated capacity for nitrogen and phosphorus retention. Most TN and TP reduction in overlying water and sediment occurred during the initial hydraulic retention time interval of 0–6 h, whereas TN plant uptake became more evident during 12–18 h. These findings suggest that ecological drainage ditches vegetated with locally adapted leguminous species have potential to mitigate agricultural non-point source pollution in arid irrigation districts. In particular, Astragalus laxmannii appears to be a promising candidate for ecological ditch design in the Hetao Irrigation District. However, this study was conducted under controlled synthetic return-flow conditions rather than with actual field drainage water, and no tracer-based hydrodynamic verification was performed; therefore, the reported hydraulic retention time effects and treatment efficiencies should be interpreted cautiously. Further field-scale validations under real drainage, seasonal variation, and long-term operation conditions are still needed.

This study provides a comprehensive overview of emerging contaminants in water resources. It includes a global perspective with specific insights from Portugal. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025 were critically assessed to identify patterns of contamination, monitoring gaps and technological readiness levels. Results indicate frequently detected emerging contaminants including pesticides, antibiotics and antidepressants in surface water, groundwater and wastewater systems. Advanced analytical methods, particularly liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry, stands out as the main detection technique, allowing the identification of trace levels of contaminants. These techniques also support the identification of pollution patterns associated with agriculture, urban and industrial effluents. However, significant asymmetries persist between international and Portuguese research. Particularly evident in systematic monitoring networks and integrated risk assessment approaches. Conventional water/wastewater treatment plants show limited removal efficiency, while advanced oxidation processes, adsorption technologies and microalgae-based systems demonstrate promising but variable performance depending on scale and operational maturity. The findings highlight gaps between scientific advances and regulatory implementation, emphasizing the need for strengthened monitoring frameworks and technology scale-up strategies. They also call for improved integration between science, governance, and sustainability policies to ensure resilient water resource management in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

In the context of increasing water scarcity, the new paradigm in efficient water management relies on the digitalisation of water infrastructure to optimise resource use. One of the key factors in addressing the new challenges facing urban water cycle companies is the shortage of qualified technical staff. This context highlights the new training needs of technical personnel required by companies in the urban water cycle sector due to the increasing digitalisation of tools and the new technological requirements of jobs which are not yet sufficiently reflected in the existing training offer. Companies express their dissatisfaction with how poorly existing training programs meet their current needs. Vocational training has a fundamental role to play in providing high-quality, technically up-to-date training that is aligned with the needs of water management companies. This mission involves the adoption of innovative teaching strategies and methods and the development of innovative teaching resources. This paper presents the design of a bench-scale plant specifically designed as a teaching resource at a Spanish vocational training centre that offers intermediate-level training in water networks and treatment plants and advanced-level training in water management. The plant, occupying a footprint of 4 × 5 m, simulates a drinking water distribution network, from the intake to the distribution network via a pumping station with two pumps (1 + 1) of 0.75 kW each that provide a flow range of 4–12 m3/h with a range of 22–10 m water column and a regulating reservoir of 1 m3 located above the water network. The plant is equipped with sensors that allow operational data to be monitored: pressures, flow rates, consumption and levels, enabling multiple operational scenarios to be simulated: leaks, sectorisation, pressure and flow management, etc. Its design has focused on facilitating the acquisition by students of the skills and learning outcomes required in the curricula of the different professional modules that make up the aforementioned studies, through learning based on multidisciplinary collaborative projects.

The importance of Education for Sustainability (EfS) in shaping values and fostering responsible sustainable behaviour has been acknowledged from the early years of education. Our research explores Preservice Preschool Teachers’ (PPTs) perceptions of using game-based learning (GBL) activities to teach EfS, and the impact of designing and delivering such activities on their confidence in teaching EfS. The research used qualitative methods. Data were collected from 12 university students, who developed and implemented GBL activities for preschool children on Monachus monachus. Preservice teachers participated in a group interview and filled reflective reports to describe their overall experience. A reflexive thematic analysis was performed using NVivo software. Outcomes indicate that participants appreciate GBL as an effective pedagogical approach in preschool education, given that it is appropriately and pedagogically designed. Participation, emotional engagement and understanding of complex sustainability concepts emerged as benefits from the involvement in GBL activities, both for the children and for the preservice teachers. Other benefits for the research participants concerned the development of their classroom adaptability, collaboration skills, reflection and confidence. Authentic, collaborative experiential approaches in teacher education and actual teaching opportunities can effectively empower preservice teachers’ confidence to teach about sustainability.

This study explores how concepts related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are represented in upper-primary school textbooks, with a focus on identifying patterns of inclusion, emphasis, and conceptual balance. Using a qualitative content evaluation approach, this study examines textbooks across Grades 4–6 to assess how sustainability is framed through environmental, social, and economic lenses. The analysis reveals that sustainability is predominantly presented through environmental themes such as natural resource conservation and ecological awareness, while social dimensions—particularly those related to inclusion, equity, and participation—are only partially addressed. Economic aspects, including financial literacy, responsible consumption, and entrepreneurship, appear marginal or implicit. The findings suggest that although sustainability is present in the curriculum, it is not consistently articulated as an integrated, multidimensional framework. Instead, it is conveyed as a set of fragmented themes, with stronger emphasis on environmental knowledge than on social responsibility or economic preparedness. This imbalance may shape students’ early understanding of sustainability in a limited way, emphasizing care for nature while underrepresenting its broader societal and economic implications. This study highlights the need for a more coherent and balanced integration of SDG concepts in primary education to support holistic sustainability literacy from an early stage.

Abstract Do extreme weather event experiences shape individual climate actions and policy preferences? Some social science theory suggests that personal exposure to such events gives rise to beliefs that spur climate change actions and/or policy support (“seeing is believing”). Alternative theory suggests that beliefs about climate change instead shape event interpretation (“believing is seeing”), attenuating responses for non-believers. Research about how extreme weather events influence actions and policy preferences is inconclusive and sometimes contradictory. We apply Structural Equation Modelling, an approach well-suited to disentangling complex relationships, to survey data from two distinct states – Alabama ( n = 916) and Oregon ( n = 1306) – that experienced different extreme weather events (hurricanes and wildfires, respectively). We show that support for climate policies is tied to both general and event-specific climate concerns, while actions are associated with harm experiences, descriptive norms, and event-specific climate concerns. Our findings have implications for climate communications and policymaking.