Urban Heat Islands are a major environmental and public health concern, causing temperature increase in urban areas. This study used satellite imagery and machine learning to analyze the spatial and temporal patterns of land surface temperature distribution in the Metropolitan Area of Merida (MAM), Mexico, from 2001 to 2021. The results show that land surface temperature has increased in the MAM over the study period, while the urban footprint has expanded. The study also found a high correlation ($r>$ 0.8) between changes in land surface temperature and land cover classes (urbanization/deforestation). If the current urbanization trend continues, the difference between the land surface temperature of the MAM and its surroundings is expected to reach 3.12 °C ± 1.11 °C by the year 2030. Hence, the findings of this study suggest that the Urban Heat Island effect is a growing problem in the MAM and highlight the importance of satellite imagery and machine learning for monitoring and developing mitigation strategies.

Pharmaceuticals such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, and caffeine are commonly found in wastewater due to incomplete removal in conventional treatment systems. This study evaluated three vertical constructed wetland (V-CW) configurations: V1 (gravel–sand with vegetation), V2 (biochar–zeolite with vegetation), and V3 (biochar–zeolite without vegetation). All systems achieved high removal efficiencies for organic matter (Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD): 89.4–91.7%, Biochemical Oxygen Demand over 5 days (BOD₅): 93.3–93.8%, Total Suspended Solids (TSS): 94.5–96.6%) and pharmaceuticals (ibuprofen: 81.8–91.5%, paracetamol: 90.0–94.3%, caffeine: 93.1–97.2%). Statistical analysis showed that substrate type significantly influenced ibuprofen (p = 0.0035) and caffeine (p = 0.0436) removal, while vegetation had no significant effect (p > 0.266). The enhanced performance of biochar and zeolite can be attributed to their high adsorption capacity and microbial support, with adsorption and biodegradation identified as dominant removal mechanisms, as reported in previous research. These findings highlight the importance of engineered substrates in optimizing constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment to improve the removal of emerging contaminants. Future research should focus on long-term substrate performance, cost-effectiveness, and field-scale validation, particularly in regions with vulnerable groundwater systems such as the Yucatán Peninsula.

The growing global demand for food has driven an increase in both swine and agricultural production, although swine wastewater poses a significant environmental risk. This study employed elemental mapping techniques to evaluate the effects of swine wastewater irrigation on the spatial distribution and concentration of essential and non-essential elements, as well as on the morphological responses of habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) seedlings. Six treatments were tested, ranging from 0% to 100% swine wastewater (T1 = 20%, T2 = 40%, T3 = 60%, T4 = 80%, T5 = 100%, and T6 = control with conventional fertilization), using a completely randomized design with five replications. Emergence, elemental distribution, morphology, and seedling quality were evaluated. The highest emergence percentages and rates were observed in the 20% wastewater treatment and the control groups. Diluted wastewater treatments promoted potassium and calcium uptake, which correlated with improved seedling growth and vigor, while irrigation with 100% wastewater led to excessive chlorine and sulfur accumulation, negatively affecting morphology. These results indicate that the controlled dilution of swine wastewater optimizes nutrient availability and seedling development, offering an environmentally sustainable alternative for producing high-quality habanero pepper seedlings. This study provides novel insights into the environmental implications of swine wastewater reuse through elemental mapping, underscoring its potential to support sustainable and regenerative agriculture.

The increasing demand for food has led to rise in both swine and agricultural production. However, pig farming contributes significantly to environmental pollution. Swine wastewater is rich in nutrients and can serve as an alternative source of fertilization for plants. This study evaluated the effects of swine wastewater on the distribution and con-centration of essential and non-essential elements, and morphology of habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) seedlings. Seedlings were irrigated with varying concentrations of swine wastewater: T1= 20% wastewater + 80% water; T2= 40% wastewater + 60% water; T3= 60% wastewater + 40% water; T4= 80% wastewater + 20% water; T5= 100% wastewater; T6= control (100% water with conventional fertilization). The experiment fol-lowed a completely randomized design with five replications. Parameters measured in-cluded seedling emergence, distribution and concentration of essential and non-essential elements, morphological characteristics, and seedling quality were measured. Emergence percentage and rate were highest in T1 and T6. Potassium and calcium showed excellent distribution and concentration in seedlings, under diluted wastewater treatments, pro-moting better growth. In contrast, irrigation with 100% wastewater increased chlorine and sulfur accumulation, negatively affecting morphology. Diluted swine wastewater im-proved elemental availability, seedling emergence, and growth. Thus, using diluted swine wastewater, particularly at 20%, presents a viable alternative for the production of high-quality habanero pepper seedlings.