This novel study investigated and proposes the use of Pycnanthus angolensis seed husk for the sequestration of Pb(II) from contaminated solutions, with the aim of contributing to the urgent need for accessibility to quality water, sustainable management of water and the environment in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The activated Pycnanthus angolensis seed husk was developed by modifying the pure sample (P-PA) with ethylene-glycol (E-PA) and Iso-butanol (I-PA). Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analyzer, thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) were used to characterize the adsorbents before and after adsorption. The batch adsorption studies carried out revealed the highest adsorption of Pb(II) at pH 6 and 180 min for all the adsorbents. The functional groups, as well as the shifts in peaks after modification, were confirmed using FTIR analysis. In addition, SEM images show a heterogeneous, rough surface with sufficient cavities of the adsorbent after modification. The physiochemical characteristics indicated that BET pore volume and pore diameter increased for E-PA and I-PA compared to P-PA. The experimental data obtained indicated that Langmuir and pseudo-first-order (PFO) best described the isotherm and kinetic models, respectively. The adsorption mechanism revealed that the adsorption of Pb(II) was controlled mainly by pore filling, while electrostatic interaction, surface complexation, and ionic exchange also occurred minimally. The thermodynamic parameters, ΔH° and ΔG°, suggest an endothermic and spontaneous adsorption process, respectively. The findings in this study indicate that Pycnanthus angolensis seed husks offer cost-effective and sustainable solutions that are readily accessible for wastewater treatment.

Bottled water consumption is widespread in Nigeria, yet the contaminant profile of these products and the implications for human exposure remain incompletely characterized. This systematic review synthesizes Nigerian bottled water quality research published between 1992 and 2025, drawing on 58 studies from major scientific databases. Analyses include temporal trends in research activity, types of contaminants investigated, and collaboration patterns among researchers. Results show marked geographical imbalance. About 79.5% of all research output focuses on southern Nigeria, while 14 states have no published data on bottled water quality. Studies of traditional contaminants, including heavy metals and microbial indicators, dominate the literature. Investigation of Contaminants of Emerging Concern, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and microplastics, began only in 2020 despite more than two decades of global research on these substances. International collaborations (22.4% of studies) enabled advanced analytical methods but also revealed limited independent capacity for comprehensive contaminant detection. Without systematic data on bottled water contaminants across all regions, population exposure assessments remain incomplete. The delayed attention to emerging contaminants limits understanding of chronic exposure to chemical mixtures. This review supports prioritizing future toxicological research and strengthening environmental health monitoring in Nigeria and similar developing regions.