The article describes the results of research on production of modified types of sorbents based on waste food plants and the possibility of drinking water purification from Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions. Sunflower and buckwheat wastes widely spread in the East Kazakhstan region were selected for production of modified sorbent. Structural features of sunflower and buckwheat shells were studied. It was found that samples of the initial form of buckwheat and sunflower, washed with distilled water, consist of very dense and small micropores. It was found that the surface of the sorbents particles is changed by washing with alcohol solution, with pores and hillocks appearing on the surface of sunflower husk particles. In acid-base-treated sorbents, an increase in the number of macropores and a change in the general morphological structure are observed. As a result of defining the sorption capacity of sorbents produced by acid-alkaline activation, it is on average 0.06 mg/g in iodine and 1.3 mg/g in methylene blue higher than that of medical activated carbon. The results of materials sorption capacity study produced from sunflower husk, sequentially treated with 8.2% hydrochloric acid solution and 16,5% sodium hydroxide solution, indicated effect respect to Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions showed a high purification effect of 98.7% and 95.8%, respectively. The above-mentioned modified sorbent is proposed as a sorption material in the production of filters for drinking water purification.

The growing implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has increased the importance of sustainable transformation in higher education institutions. Universities are increasingly expected to integrate environmental management, digital technologies, governance, education, and community engagement into unified sustainability frameworks. However, integrated sustainability management models for technical universities in emerging economies remain insufficiently explored. This study analyzes the long-term transformation of the EKTU Green Campus project at D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (Kazakhstan) during 2018–2025. The research is based on methodological triangulation combining institutional statistical data, official UI GreenMetric methodologies and indicators, university sustainability reports, and verified ranking results. The study examines the interaction between Smart Campus technologies, digital governance, sustainability-oriented education, environmental management, and campus infrastructure modernization. The results indicate substantial progress across multiple dimensions of institutional sustainability, including energy efficiency, digital sustainability governance, renewable energy implementation, sustainable transportation, circular economy practices, and education and research indicators. The findings suggest that Smart Campus technologies and digital monitoring systems can function as core instruments of institutional sustainability management rather than solely as technical infrastructure solutions. The EKTU Green Campus experience provides a practical reference for sustainability transformation in technical universities in Central Asia and other developing regions, while acknowledging that its applicability may depend on local institutional and socio-economic contexts. The study is limited by its single-case design and its reliance on institutional and ranking data, which may affect the generalizability of the findings.

A study was conducted to assess the hydrochemical composition and turbidity of the surface waters of the Ulba River under the influence of urban and industrial activities in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Samples were collected at four monitoring sites: the upper reaches upstream of the city, the middle reaches within the city limits, downstream of the industrial zone, and the lower reaches before the confluence with the Yertis River. Concentrations of a broad range of chemical elements were determined, including Li, Be, B, Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Mo, Cd, Pb, etc., and water turbidity was also measured. The results showed that the concentrations of most elements were within established environmental standards; however, localized exceedances were observed for Al, Fe, Sr, and Ag in the middle and lower reaches. These exceedances can be attributed to anthropogenic impacts associated with industrial activities and urban runoff. Turbidity values ranged from 2.23 to 4.23 NTU, indicating a correlation with increased levels of suspended solids and metal concentrations. The study results confirm the effectiveness of integrated monitoring of hydrochemical parameters and turbidity as indicators of anthropogenic pressure, enabling the assessment of the ecological status of rivers in industrially impacted areas and providing a basis for further environmental monitoring.

This study presents a multicomponent assessment of pollution and the ecological status of surface waters in the Brazhinsky Stream, located within the city of Ust-Kamenogorsk (Eastern Kazakhstan). The assessment is based on the analysis of water turbidity and hydrochemical composition. The results show that turbidity values range from 47.7 to 54.3 NTU, indicating a high content of suspended solids and their significant role in the transport of pollutants. Hydrochemical analysis revealed persistent exceedances of maximum permissible concentrations for several elements, with copper, zinc, aluminum, and iron making the greatest contribution to overall contamination. Copper concentrations reach up to 44.2 times the permissible limit, while zinc concentrations are as high as 9.8 times the allowable level, indicating pronounced anthropogenic impact. An integrated assessment of water quality was carried out using the Water Pollution Index (WPI), with values of 2.27, 2.75, and 3.68 recorded for the upper, middle, and lower sections of the stream, respectively. According to the classification scheme, these values correspond to the category of “polluted water,” with a clear trend of increasing contamination downstream. It is shown that the Brazhinsky Stream, despite not directly discharging into the Irtysh River, plays an important role in the redistribution of pollutants within the system of surface and groundwater. The findings indicate a significant anthropogenic load on the watercourse and highlight the need for regular hydrochemical monitoring of small streams in urbanized areas.