The future megacity of Faisalabad is of prime interest when considering environmental health because of its bulky population and abundant industrial and anthropogenic sources of coarse particles (PM₁₀) and fine airborne particulate matter (PM_2.5). The current study was aimed to investigate the concentration level of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀, also the characterization of carbonaceous aerosols including organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC) and total carbon (TC) in PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ samples collected from five different sectors (residential, health, commercial, industrial, and vehicular zone). The data presented here are the first of their kind in this sprawling city having industries and agricultural activities side by side. Results of the study revealed that the mass concentration of PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ is at an elevated level throughout Faisalabad, with ambient PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ points that constantly exceeded the 24-h standards of US-EPA, and National Environment Quality Standards (NEQS) which poses harmful effects on the quality of air and health. The total carbon concentration varied between 21.33 and 206.84 μg/m³, and 26.08 and 211.15 μg/m³ with an average of 119.16 ± 64.91 μg/m³ and 124.71 ± 64.38 μg/m³ for PM_2.5 in summer and winter seasons, respectively. For PM₁₀, the concentration of TC varied from 34.52 to 289.21 μg/m³ with an average of 181.50 ± 87.38 μg/m³ (for summer season) and it ranged between 44.04 and 300.02 μg/m³ with an average of 191.04 ± 87.98 μg/m³ (winter season), respectively. No significant difference between particulate concentration and weather parameters was observed. Similarly, results of air quality index (AQI) and pollution index (PI) stated that the air quality of Faisalabad ranges from poor to severely pollute. In terms of AQI, moderate pollution was recorded on sampling sites in the following order; Ittehad Welfare Dispensary > Saleemi Chowk > Kashmir Road > Pepsi Factory, while at Nazria Pakistan Square and Allied Hospital, higher AQI values were recorded. The analysis and results presented in this study can be used by policy-makers to apply rigorous strategies that decrease air pollution and the associated health effects in Faisalabad.

Phytoremediation is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach that can be used for the remediation of metals in polluted soil. This study used a hedge plant–calico (Alternanthera bettzickiana (Regel) G. Nicholson) to determine the role of citric acid in lead (Pb) phytoremediation by exposing it to different concentrations of Pb (0, 200, 500, and 1000 mg kg⁻¹) as well as in a combination with citric acid concentration (0, 250, 500 µM). The analysis of variance was applied on results for significant effects of the independent variables on the dependent variables using SPSS (ver10). According to the results, maximum Pb concentration was measured in the upper parts of the plant. An increase in dry weight biomass, plant growth parameters, and photosynthetic contents was observed with the increase of Pb application (200 mg kg⁻¹) in soil while a reduced growth was experienced at higher Pb concentration (1000 mg kg⁻¹). The antioxidant enzymatic activities like superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) were enhanced under lower Pb concentration (200, 500 mg kg⁻¹), whereas the reduction occurred at greater metal concentration Pb (1000 mg kg⁻¹). There was a usual reduction in electrolyte leakage (EL) at lower Pb concentration (200, 500 mg kg⁻¹), whereas EL increased at maximum Pb concentration (1000 mg kg⁻¹). We concluded that this hedge plant, A. Bettzickiana, has the greater ability to remediate polluted soils aided with citric acid application.

The rapid increase in population growth due to industrialization and urbanization has resulted in air quality deterioration in Pakistan. Consequently, a considerable increase has been seen in the types of sources of air pollutants. However, the air quality of the country has deteriorated in the absence of management capabilities against air quality. Evidence from numerous governmental organizations and international bodies has specified that the environment, health, and quality of life are at high risk due to air pollution. Although the government of Pakistan established the Pakistan Clean Air Program, along with continuous monitoring stations to manage the quality of ambient air, air quality values have not yet been achieved. The present investigations were made in the city of Faisalabad in selected locations. Sampling of a 24 h average was done for selected sites. The air quality parameters such as NO₂, SO₂, CO_x, O₂, noise level, and suspended particulate matter (SPM) were measured at two locations, i.e., Khurrianwala and Liaqatabad in the Faisalabad District. The measured values of air quality parameters were compared with national environmental quality standards (NEQS). Air pollutants such as SPM, SO₂, and noise levels were found to be significantly higher than the 24-h standards of NEQS, which poses harmful effects on the quality of air and health, whereas the O₂ concentration was found to be lower than the normal values, and NO₂ and CO_x values were normal. The SO₂, CO₂, noise level, SPM, and O₂ values ranged from 418–652 and 423–661 µg/m³, 3.03–3.44 and 3.08–3.51 mg/m³, 68–73 and 69–75 dB, 555–667 and 581–682 µg/m³, and 19.5–20 and 19.5–20.3 % for summer and winter season, respectively, as compared to standard values (150 µg/m³, 10 mg/m³, 65 dB, 550 µg/m³ and 21%). After the complete analysis of the selected locations, it was concluded that the ambient air quality of this area is severely degraded due to industrial as well as other commercial activities. These significant variations in air quality parameters suggest that there is a need to check the air quality regularly to take appropriate measures for reducing ambient air pollutants, especially in industrial areas as well as commercial areas.

Nitrogen loss from agricultural fields results in contamination of ground and surface water resources due to leaching and runoff, respectively. Nitrogen transport dynamics vary significantly among agricultural fields of different climates, especially in the tropical climate. This study intended to evaluate the rainfall impact on nitrogen distribution and losses under tropical rain-fed conditions. The study was carried out in a sweet corn field for two growing seasons at the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) research field. The HYDRUS-1D numerical model was used to simulate nitrogen transport dynamics in this study. The observed nitrogen concentrations were used for calibration and validation of the model. Total nitrogen input to sweet corn was 120 kg/ha for both seasons. Nitrogen losses through surface runoff and leaching were dominating pathways. Surface runoff accounted for 35.3% and 22.2% of total nitrogen input during the first and second seasons, respectively. The leaching loss at 60 cm depth accounted for 4.0% (first season) and 18.5% (second season). The crop N uptake was 37.5% and 24.9% during the first and second seasons, respectively. Nitrate was the dominant form of N uptake by the crop that accounted for 83.6% (first season) and 78.5% (second season). The HYDRUS-1D simulation results of nitrogen concentrations and fluxes were found in good agreement with observed data. The overall results of simulation justified the HYDRUS-1D for improved fertilizer use in the tropical climate.

This research investigated the best economically viable power source with the least environmental impact and socially acceptable for the maize crop. Maize is one of the key economic crops in Pakistan. Solar-, electric-, and diesel-powered drip irrigation systems (DIS) were considered for comparative study. We selected 45 sites of maize crop to collect the data, with an area of 1–3 ha, from three divisions. For economic viability, the benefit:cost ratio, life cycle cost, and payback period were calculated, and CO₂ emissions were calculated to assess the environmental impact. The SPSS model was used for one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc and chi-squared tests to check the significance level between all power sources. It was found that the B-C of electric power, solar, and diesel drip irrigation systems was 1.65, 1.52, and 1.44, respectively. Solar, diesel, and electricity power DIS have CO₂ emissions of 0.02, 0.730, and 1.106 tons/ha, respectively. The research concludes that solar power and electric power are the best sources for the environment and economically, respectively. It is recommended that solar power DIS be subsidized, which will help to lower CO₂ emissions and reduce the electricity shortfall in Pakistan.