Abstract
The curse of heavy metals contamination in groundwaters of Punjab state is an obvious source of health hazards for the population of Punjab. According to the data compiled by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), the total number of villages affected by heavy metal contamination is 2420 in India, out of which 2139 (88%) fall in Punjab state. This shows an alarming situation and an environmental crisis waiting for Punjab. Department of Water Supply and Sanitation (DWSS) of Punjab Government has conducted a groundwater survey of entire Punjab under the World Bank funded project “Toward Managing Rural Drinking Water Quality in the State of Punjab, India” to determine heavy metal contamination of groundwater. Our analysis pertaining to heavy metals, such as Uranium, Arsenic, Selenium, Mercury, Iron, Nickel, Cadmium, Chromium, and Lead in groundwaters of Punjab, is based on DWSS World Bank Project data.

Punjab state is further divided into three geographical areas, known as Majha, Malwa, and Doaba. Our investigations reveal that Malwa districts, known as the ‘Cancer belt’ of Punjab, have all Uranium content higher than the WHO safe limit of 30 ppb in water. Arsenic and Selenium contamination is abundant in Majha and Doaba districts, respectively. Ferozepur district in Malwa is a “Hot Spot” of Mercury contamination. Nickel and Cadmium are both equally rampant in Punjab with concentration variation from 0.02 mg/l to 0.947 mg/l and 0.003 mg/l to 0.162 mg/l, respectively. Almost 80% villages with chromium concentration higher than WHO limit fall in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab. Lead is highly toxic and its concentration in groundwater above the WHO safe limit has been found in 708 villages with a variation from 0.010 mg/l to 0.479 mg/l.

Heavy metal toxicity in water can result in various health hazards which are well documented. Long-term exposure may result in slowly progressing physical, muscular, and neurological degenerative processes that mimic Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis. DWSS of Punjab is involved in mitigation strategies to reduce the heavy metals content below the WHO limits. Presently, DWSS has opted for the supply of Canal water to all households in Punjab, which is the most economical source of drinking water, and also free of heavy metal contamination.

Biography
Prof. Hardev Singh Virk was born in Kamoke, district Gujranwala (now in Pakistan) on 23rd Feb. 1942. He received his M.Sc. in Physics from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (1963) and Doctorate in Nuclear Physics from Marie Curie University, Paris (France) in 1972. He served in Punjabi University, Patiala (1965-79) and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (1979-2002). His research interests are manifold: Nuclear & Radiation Physics; Geochronology; Earthquakes & Environment; Ion Tracks & Nanotechnology; History & Philosophy of Science; Sikh Religion and Punjabi Literature.

Professor Virk retired from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar in June 2002 after serving as Director Research and Dean Academic Affairs. He was re-employed as Director Research, DAV Institute of Engineering & Technology, Jalandhar (2008-2011); Adjunct Professor, Akal University, Baru Sahib (2010-till date); Visiting Professor, SGGS World University, Fatehgarh Sahib (2013-17); and Professor of Eminence, Punjabi University, Patiala (2017-19).

Professor Virk has published 475 research papers in national & international journals; 45 books and 150 articles on Science Education & Science Policy in India. He has presented his Research Papers and Invited Talks in 100 National and 70 International Conferences in 50 countries. He is a globe trotter. He is recipient of several awards, viz., Senior Associateship of International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy (1988-93); Shiromani   Award   as   Best   Writer   of   Scientific Literature in Punjabi awarded by the Punjab State Languages Department (1993); Honourable Mention Award of Templeton Foundation (USA) for a Project on Global Perspectives of Science & Sikh Religion (2005); and FRAY International Sustainability Award by FLOGEN Stars Outreach (2022). Presently, he is Professor of Eminence (Honorary), SGGS World University, Fatehgarh Sahib (India).

Abstract
Exurban expansion can degrade significantly stream water quality. This study was conducted on Rock Creek of the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone River in southcentral Montana, USA. The impact from recent exurban expansion was evaluated by a baseline study measuring total suspended solids (TSS), total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN) and nitrites (NO₂) and nitrates (NO₃) together. This was part of a larger study by Montana Department of Environmental Quality to assess water quality, identify sources of pollution and develop total maximum daily loads (TMDL). Water samples were measured for these analytes at nine (2022) and 11 (2023) locations with different land-uses over seven periods (both years). Seasonal spikes, corresponding to runoff (2022, late May), occurred in TSS, TP and TN. Data from 2023 showed similar but reduced levels occurring in June for TSS and TP. Total suspended solids, TP, NO₂ and NO₃ concentrations increased by location year over year, 2022 to 2023. The high relative concentrations of NO₂ and NO₃ in Rock Creek are primarily associated with exurban expansion, a significant threat to stream quality and wildlife habitat in Montana. The results will assist county planners in land use decisions.

Biography
Dr. David received his Ph.D. from New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA. He completed post-doc research at the University of Louisiana in neurotoxicology. He has pursued research in riparian and desert ecosystems in Arizona and currently involved in riparian water quality work in Montana. David is retired from the U.S. Government.

Abstract
Forests hold and remove vast quantities of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Given the challenges of reducing emissions quickly enough and the stakes involved, planting new trees is therefore crucial in the broader battle against climate change. Accordingly, the proposal from the G20 summit of November 2021, to fight the climate crisis by planting 1 trillion trees by 2030, has been accepted, elevating tree restoration as an emissions reduction strategy. At the same time, increasing urbanization has rendered more and more forested areas to the periphery of cities. We show that, globally, between 141 and 322 Mha are potentially available for tree restoration in such peri-urban areas. New forests around cities could provide crucial ecosystem services, improving air quality, mitigating temperatures, reducing heat islands, and removing greenhouse gases and other pollution from the atmosphere. We constructed a 500-m-resolution global map of the peri-urban areas suitable for tree restoration. We found that these areas may host between 241 and 106 billion trees, depending on different land availability scenarios, and between 101 and 34 billion trees when excluding areas that currently serve as croplands. Almost 80% of such trees could be hosted in just 20 countries. Although forest restoration activities such as tree planting cannot replace reducing carbon emissions, incrementing peri-urban forests can play a crucial role in the fight against climate change. Our results and the maps we constructed may help decision-makers to come to more informed decisions about where to focus reforestation efforts.

Biography
Dr. Saverio Francini is a young Assistant Professor in Tenure Track at the University of Bologna. He is a Remote Sensing specialist, with a focus on forest monitoring and disturbance mapping via artificial intelligence and novel technologies.

Abstract
The Brahmaputra Valley, one of India’s most flood-prone regions, faces frequent and severe flooding, leading to significant socio-economic losses. This study delineates flood-prone zones using a GIS-based Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) model, in conjunction with an analysis of climatic variables to better understand the climate change impact on flood susceptibility. Results reveal that over 30% of the region is at high risk, with rainfall intensity and land-use patterns being critical factors. A novel Single-Parameter Sensitivity Analysis (SPSA) was introduced to enhance model accuracy by assessing the influence of individual criteria. Multicollinearity diagnostics identified potential correlations among 10 key parameters, further improving the model’s robustness. The model’s reliability was validated through ROC-AUC and F1 score metrics, demonstrating strong predictive performance for flood susceptibility zones. This research provides valuable insights for improving disaster risk management strategies in the region.

Biography
Prof. Sujit Deka is a distinguished academician, researcher, and administrator with over 23 years of teaching experience at the undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD levels. Currently serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Science & Technology at Bodoland University, Kokrajhar, Assam, Prof. Deka has made significant contributions to Geography, Geomorphology, and Environmental Studies. His dedication to teaching is driven by a passion for inspiring students and equipping them with the knowledge and skills required for impactful research and careers that promote societal progress.

Prof. Deka holds an M.Sc. in Geography (1995) and a PhD (2003) from Gauhati University, where his research focused on “Evaluation and Management of Wastelands in Kamrup District of Assam.” He has published extensively in national and international journals, including prestigious platforms such as Elsevier, Springer, Wiley, Web of Science, and Scopus. His notable works encompass flood risk assessments in the Brahmaputra floodplain and hydrological studies utilizing geospatial tools. His research interests include geomorphology, disaster management, the socio-economic impacts of floods, and wasteland management. His work is featured in high-impact journals like the Journal of Cleaner Production, Bulletin of Geography, and Indian Society of Remote Sensing.

As a reviewer for several Springer Nature journals and evaluator of numerous PhD theses, Prof. Deka has also served as an external expert for viva-voce and open-defense sessions. He is the author of multiple books, including Wastelands & Sustainable Development (2018), Population Development and Conflicts in North East India (2011), and North East India: Geo-environmental Issues (2008). These works highlight critical regional issues of environmental management and sustainable development. He has also contributed chapters to edited volumes on topics such as wasteland reclamation, rural development, and environmental sustainability.

Abstract
Nitrification, the conversion of ammonia via nitrite to nitrate by nitrifying microorganisms, is the critical process in nitrogen cycling, which can regulate the balance of nitrogen (N) between reduced and oxidized forms, the N fate in agricultural agroecosystem (available to plants and/or the wider biosphere), and the mobility in water and potential loss via drainage, or the emissions from soil as N₂O.  This results in enormous losses of nitrogen from ammonium-based fertilizers, with associated serious environmental pollution issues by nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions and nitrate (NO₃⁻) leaching. The rate of nitrification depends largely on the initial step, ammonia (NH₃) oxidation, which is carried out by three phylogenetically constrained yet physiologically distinct guilds: ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA), and complete ammonia oxidizers (comammox). These three functional guilds generally coexist in agricultural soils; however, their functional importance and mechanisms of niche differentiation remain elusive. Here, we developed a novel method by combining acetylene, 1-octyne, and 3,4-dimethylpyrazole phosphate (DMPP) to effectively distinguish the activity of AOA, AOB, and comammox in agricultural soils. The results indicate that AOA are key NH₃ oxidizers in fertilized acidic and neutral alkaline agricultural soils, while AOB dominate N₂O production. In contrast, comammox always play a minor role in NH₃ oxidation and N₂O emissions, likely due to their low abundances, restricted cellular kinetic properties, and N₂O production mechanisms. Furthermore, we demonstrate that both niche preference and interspecific competition contribute to niche differentiation between AOA and AOB. When AOA, such as Nitrososphaera viennesis, are released from the competition with AOB, they can efficiently grow and multiply, even under high ammonium conditions.

Biography
Dr. Yongchao Liang is a Chang Jiang Scholars Professor officially appointed by the Ministry of Education, People’s Republic of China and an Alexander von Humboldt Research Fellow (Humboldtian) officially awarded by Germany; he has been a “Truth-Seeking” full professor at the College of Environmental and Resource Sciences of the Zhejiang University, China since 2014; he has recently been admitted as a Fellow of International Association of Advanced Materials (FIAAM); he has been a director of the Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, China and a deputy director of the Scientific Committee for College of Environmental and Resource Sciences of the Zhejiang University since 2017. He has been serving as a subject editor of “Plant and Soil” since 2008 and was an editor of “Applied and Environmental Soil Science” from 2008 to 2016; he has been serving as an editorial board member of “Journal of Plant Nutrition” since 2005; he has been serving as an editorial board member of “Frontiers in Plant Sciences” and “Soil Systems” since 2018.

Abstract
Iran is located in the Middle East region where it is mainly characterized by an arid to semi-arid climate and exhibits a complex precipitation pattern due to diverse topography and multiple precipitation sources. The general circulation model (GCM), future scenario, and downscaling method are three main sources of uncertainty that should be considered for projection of future precipitation and temperature in a given region under global warming. Here, contribution of these three uncertainty sources to projected precipitation and temperature are evaluated at 10 climatic stations of Iran using analysis of variance (ANOVA) method. Uncertainty assessment reveals that GCM and downscaling are the main sources of uncertainty in projected precipitation, while the type of scenario significantly contributes to the uncertainty in projected temperature. Meanwhile, daily precipitation and temperature data from the CMIP6 multi-model ensemble are statistically downscaled for 51 stations across Iran using the LARS-WG and transient change factor approach. Then, frequency, duration, severity, and intensity of extreme events, along with extreme precipitation depths for 2-50-year return periods, are evaluated under the baseline period (1980-2014) and three future scenarios: SSP1-1.9, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5 (2021-2080). Results show that extreme precipitation depths increase under SSP1-1.9, whereas anomaly of extreme precipitation depth depends on location under SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5. The southern coastal and south-eastern regions will experience more-frequent shorter extreme events while other regions of Iran will tend to experience less-frequent longer events under climate change.

Biography
Dr. Mostafa Naderi has his expertise in hydrogeology and climate change. He is a young researcher who has experienced and worked on pumping test analysis, sustainable management and planning of water resources, climate change analysis, and evaluation of impact of climate change on available water and water security. He has studied the impact of climate change on rivers, wetlands and aquifers in different parts of Iran since 2015. Research Interests: Hydrogeology, Climate change, Sustainable water resources management, watershed modeling, Pumping test analysis

Abstract
Public perceptions on climate change is a paramount component in developing and conceiving mitigation and adaptation strategies towards climate change. An understanding of public perceptions on climate change may assist decision-makers in producing appropriate strategies to ameliorate the impacts of climate change. The aim of this study is to quantify public sentiment by examining the polarity of the public sentiments through sentiment analysis and corpus-driven approaches. A part of a specialised corpus namely the Malaysian Diachronic Climate Change Corpus (MyDCCC) was developed from an online newspaper published in Malaysia, and this data was used in the present study. Azure Machine Learning software was used to conduct the sentiment analysis in order to explore the polarity of public sentiments, while corpus- driven approach was employed to identify the sentiment lexicon. The analysis began with sentiment analysis approach to categorise the news articles into two sub-corpora; the negative sentiment sentiment and the positive sentiment. Positive and negative sentiment words were identified by matching the wordlists generated for each sub-corpus with the MPQA Subjectivity Lexicon. The results indicated that the majority of public sentiments were negative. From 59 news articles, 53 words were identified as negative sentiment, with an average polarity score of 0.056 and an overall polarity percentage of 90%. In contrast, only six words were identified as positive sentiment, with an average polarity score of 0.897 and an overall polarity percentage of 10%.The findings suggest that the public is reasonably aware of climate change, though their sentiments are predominantly negative. This negative stance is largely influenced by public dissatisfaction with how decision-makers are handling climate change issues. Paradoxically, these negative sentiments may serve as an indicator for decision-makers to improve their approach to addressing climate change. In conclusion, this study significantly contributes to research on public perceptions of climate change in the Malaysian context. It offers valuable insights for decision-makers, as understanding public sentiment can enhance their strategies to positively influence societal perceptions of climate change issues.

Biography
Prod. Nor Fariza Mohd Nor, is an Associate Professor at the Center of Research for Language and Linguistics, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, National University of Malaysia (UKM). She received her Ph.D in Applied Linguistics from University of Malaya, and Master degree in English for Specific Purpose from the University of Warwick, U.K. Her Bachelor (Hons) degree is in Modern English Language and Education, from the University of Lancaster, U.K. Nor Fariza is a prolific writer and an active researcher, with her primary research interests encompassing media discourse and critical discourse studies. Her work includes analyses of the Malaysian Hansard corpus, as well as newspapers and social media corpora. She has published over 60 peer-reviewed papers, books, book chapters, and technical reports, and serves as a peer reviewer for high-impact journals such as PLOS ONE, SAGE Open, and Taylor & Francis. She has participated in 40 research projects within her areas of expertise. As a project leader, she has secured several international and national grants from various funding agencies, totaling nearly €70,000. She is currently engaged in multiple research projects with a strong focus on climate change, media linguistics, and the application of AI in teaching and learning. Her research in media linguistics employs sentiment analysis, corpus linguistics and word embedding techniques to capture sentiment analysis, collocations and the semantic meanings of words and their associations. The overarching aim of her research is to link language to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a way that benefits society.