This review offers an in-depth analysis of soil contamination, discussing the origins, impacts, and remediation strategies, as well as the complex connections with interfacial chemistry. Interfacial chemistry plays a critical role in addressing soil contamination by governing the interactions between pollutants, soil particles, water, and remediation agents at phase boundaries (solid–liquid, solid–gas). Some key aspects include adsorption/desorption that controls pollutants binding to soil surfaces; chemical transformation which facilitates redox, hydrolysis, or catalytic reactions at interfaces to degrade contaminants; colloidal transport that affects the movement of nanoparticle-bound contaminants through soil pores; and techniques like soil washing, phytoremediation and permeable reactive barriers that can neutralize soil pollutants. The combination of interfacial chemistry and soil remediation techniques offers rich opportunities for improving predictive models of contaminant fate. Such approaches represent a paradigm shift from equilibrium-based remediation to dynamic process management. The review demonstrates how heterogeneous interfaces and molecular-scale dynamics dictate contaminant behavior. Furthermore, in addition to consolidating existing knowledge, the review also pioneers new directions by revealing how interfacial processes can optimize soil decontamination, offering actionable insights for researchers and policy makers. By understanding and manipulating interfacial chemical processes, scientists can develop more precise and sustainable cleanup methods.

Concerns about sustainable energy sources arise due to the non-renewable nature of petroleum. Escalating demand for fossil fuels and price inflation negatively impact the energy security and economy of a country. The generation and usage of biofuel could be suggested as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Several studies have investigated the potential of using edible crops for biofuel production. However, the usage of algae as suitable feedstock is currently being promoted due to its ability to withstand adverse environmental conditions, capacity to generate more oil per area, and potential to mitigate energy crises and climate change with no detrimental impact on the environment and food supply. Furthermore, the biorefinery approach in algae-based biofuel production controls the economy of algal cultivation. Hence, this article critically reviews different cultivation systems of algae with critical parameters including harvesting methods, intended algae-based biofuels with relevant processing techniques, other applications of valorized algal biomass, merits and demerits, and limitations and challenges in algae-based biofuel production.

Waterleaf (Talinum fruticosum) is an underutilized leafy vegetable with recognized tolerance to environmental stresses, yet comprehensive characterization of its morpho-physiological and biochemical responses to contrasting water stress conditions remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the morphological, physiological, and biochemical responses of waterleaf to continuous drought and waterlogging stress, and to examine trait interrelationships under each stress using correlation analyses, providing exploratory insights into coordinated stress responses. The experiment was conducted under controlled greenhouse conditions using a completely randomized design. Plants were subjected to three watering regimes: well-watered control, continuous flooding, and severe drought (≤10% field capacity). Drought stress induced more severe growth suppression than waterlogging, with reductions of 3.8-fold in leaf area and 5.5-fold in flower production compared to control. Net photosynthetic rate declined by 5.7-fold under drought and 3.1-fold under waterlogging, accompanied by corresponding reductions in stomatal conductance and transpiration rate. Proline accumulation was substantially enhanced under drought (3.6-fold increase), while soluble sugars increased by 1.7-fold. Total phenolics and flavonoids increased by 1.8-fold and 1.7-fold, respectively, under drought stress, with more moderate increases under waterlogging. Oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (3.4-fold increase) and hydrogen peroxide (2.9-fold increase), were significantly elevated under drought compared to waterlogging. Correlation analyses revealed stronger and more numerous interrelationships among traits under drought stress, indicating a more coordinated and integrated stress response. The findings demonstrate that waterleaf exhibits differential sensitivity to drought and waterlogging, with drought imposing more severe constraints on growth, photosynthesis, and reproductive output. The stress-induced accumulation of phenolic compounds and enhanced antioxidant capacity suggests that controlled water stress may influence the phytochemical profile of waterleaf, presenting opportunities for further research to optimize irrigation practices for balancing yield and quality in sustainable production systems.