With the growing population, industrialization, and agriculture, water contamination not only affects people but entire ecosystems. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), because of their large surface area and porosity, show great potential as adsorbents for removing pollutants, such as heavy metals, from contaminated water. The current research aims at examining copper (II) benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (Cu-BTC) MOFs and understanding the mechanism for their adsorption of Pb(II) from aqueous solution. The Cu-BTC samples were characterized using FTIR and XRD, and their surface area and porosity were determined based on N₂ adsorption isotherms. The concentration of Pb(II) in the solutions was measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Both kinetic and equilibrium adsorption data were collected and then analyzed using numerical models. The analyses led to the findings that the limiting steps in the adsorption of Pb(II) on Cu-BTC are (a) pore diffusion of Pb(II) and (b) the availability of the active sites on Cu-BTC MOFs. It was further revealed that the former step is more dominant in the adsorption of Pb(II) when the lead concentration is low. The latter step, which is directly proportional to the surface areas of the MOFs, affects the adsorption to a greater extent when the lead concentration is high. The results also show that adsorption of Pb(II) ions on Cu-BTC is mainly a multi-layer heterogeneous process.

This study investigated the elemental composition of soils in Kyzylorda and Turkestan (southern Kazakhstan), an area rich in natural resources but facing potential environmental threats from industry and agriculture. The goal was to establish baseline geochemical values and assess soil contamination risks. Soil samples were collected from across the region and analyzed using ICP-MS and INAA techniques, providing a comprehensive profile of 72 elements. Statistical analysis revealed significant variations in elemental concentrations, with enrichments observed for specific elements when compared with reference values. Notably, both regions shared a core set of elements including rare earth elements (yttrium series: holmium, erbium, thulium), noble metals (gold, platinum, ruthenium, palladium), and tungsten. Enrichment patterns, however, provided distinct insights. Rare earth element enrichments likely reflect the region’s geology, while elevated radioactive elements necessitate further investigation to understand potential environmental and health risks. Enrichment of iron group elements might be linked to a combination of geological factors and anthropogenic activities like mining or industrial processes. A significantly higher number of elements exceeded background levels in Kyzylorda compared with Turkestan, suggesting greater element accumulation in Kyzylorda’s soil. This difference could be attributed to variations in regional geology or historical anthropogenic activities. The established geochemical baseline for 72 elements and the identified areas of potential contamination will inform land management practices, guide future environmental monitoring efforts, and ultimately contribute to the safeguarding of public health in southern Kazakhstan.

Phosphorus deficiency and declining organic matter limit crop productivity in Northern Kazakhstan’s chernozem soils. This study evaluates whether the combined application of phosphorus fertilizer and an ash-carbon amendment from industrial by-products can improve soil fertility and barley yield. In a three-year field experiment (2018–2020), four P rates (1/10, 1/5, 1/2, and the full recommended dose, Prec) were tested with 100 kg ha⁻¹ of ash–carbon product (“Agrobionov”). Across growth stages, we measured cellulolytic microbial activity, water-stable soil aggregates (%WSA), and grain yield. Relative to the control, P + ash–carbon increased microbial activity by up to 57.6% and %WSA by up to 76%. The highest yield (1.32 t ha⁻¹) occurred with Agrobionov + ½ Prec, a 51.7% increase over the control. These results indicate that pairing moderate P rates with an ash–carbon amendment enhances soil biological and physical properties and improves yield in P-deficient chernozems, supporting the sustainable use of industrial by-products as cost-effective soil amendments. Future work should assess long-term effects on C sequestration, nutrient cycling, and economic feasibility.