Vol. 2 No. 4 (2026): Volume 2 Issue 4 2026

View Vol. 2 No. 4 (2026): Volume 2 Issue 4 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.v2.n4.2026
Published: 2026-08-07

Full Issue

Articles

  • Traditional soil museums that display only preserved soil monoliths cannot communicate what soil health actually means, because a preserved sample cannot show a living system. Here we describe the establishment of two Living Soil Museums in Ukraine built around undisturbed soils in their natural setting, created under the Horizon Europe SoilTribes project. As more such museums appear, there will be increasing value in common approaches for documenting their activities and comparing their educational and scientific performance.

    Living Soil Museums in Ukraine: A New Platform for Soil Literacy, Citizen Science and Community Engagement

    Yuriy Dmytruk, Vasyl Cherlinka
    1–19
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.884325
  • Freshwater scarcity is an increasing global challenge, and repurposing decommissioned oil carriers for freshwater transport could provide a scalable and flexible solution to redistribute water between water-rich and water-scarce regions. This approach requires engineering modifications, dedicated infrastructure, and optimized operational strategies to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable water transport. Economic comparisons with desalination identify the conditions under which maritime freshwater transport becomes competitive, offering a practical framework for strengthening global freshwater resilience

    Addressing Water Scarcity using Repurposed Oil Carriers

    Capt (Dr.) Nitin Agarwala
    20-44
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.980326
  • Hydrophilic silica particles of 250 nm and 800 nm were synthesized using the Stöber method and subsequently modified to obtain hydrophobic properties, confirmed by sessile drop measurements. Mild steel sheets were prepared, coated with Jotamastic 80 primer and Penguard FC topcoat, and then sprayed with different combinations of hydrophobic particles to form uniform coatings, which were evaluated qualitatively and through surface characterization techniques. The highest hydrophobicity (contact angle up to 140°) and optimal adhesion were achieved with a 75% (250 nm) and 25% (800 nm) mixture applied 2.5 hours after topcoat, with best structural formation observed after 24-48 hours of drying.

    Development of Hydrophobic Coating and Spraying System for Corrosion Resistant Coatings

    Andrius Patapas, Aziz Fihri, Yassine Malajati, Remi Mahfouz, Waleed Al-Nasser, Paul Luckham
    45-63
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.853566
  • The integration of microalgae into various industrial wastewater treatment systems is an environment-friendly bioremediation strategy against both organic pollution and microplastic contamination. Following treatment, the resulting biomass offers multiple opportunities for valorization, particularly in the production of biofuels, biofertilizers, and animal feed. Their use fits perfectly within a sustainable and circular economy approach.

    Microalgae-Based Bioremediation of Microplastic-Contaminated Industrial Wastewater: Mechanisms and Challenges

    Yasmine Khalki, Selma Siham El Khayat, Ghita Radi Benjelloun, Alla Silkina, Bouchaib Bahlaouan, Nadia Boutaleb
    64-83
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.441608
  • The tropical rainforests of Central Africa harbour highly valued Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). Among these, the family Marantaceae is prominent because of the multiple uses of its leaves, stems, fruits and rhizomes by rural communities. This bibliographic synthesis summarizes the available knowledge on the geographical distribution, botanical and economic characteristics, and ethnobotanical importance of Marantaceae in Central Africa. It also highlights important knowledge gaps concerning the ecology, reproductive biology, harvesting pressure and regeneration potential of exploited species, emphasizing the need for further research to support their sustainable management.

    Marantaceae of the Tropical Rainforests of Central Africa: Multi-purpose Plants of Hidden Harvests

    Ichida Pherla Oyanadigui Odjogui, Christian Moupela, Aurélien Mokea Niaty, Rolf Gaël Mabicka Obame
    84-110
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.020367
  • Senegal is a coastal country in sub-Saharan Africa that is increasingly exposed to coastal erosion and seasonal flooding. This study analyses the macroeconomic effects of a major climate shock using a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model, with particular attention to post-disaster financing mechanisms and public investment choices. The findings show that tax-based reconstruction financing supports fiscal stability more effectively than domestic borrowing, while resilient infrastructure substantially reduces productivity losses and reconstruction costs. These results suggest that allocating at least 0.5% of GDP to climate adaptation investment could strengthen the country's long-term resilience to climate change.

    Modelling the Economic Resilience Effects of Climate Adaptation Infrastructure Investments in Senegal: Evidence from a Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) Model

    Bruno Tiendrébéogo, Assana-Richard Ayizou, Oumy Ndiaye
    111-140
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.559807
  • Artificial Intelligence, a product of human intelligence rather than its equivalent, offers remarkable opportunities in medicine, science and society, yet raises profound concerns about control, ethics, inequality, military misuse and the uncertain pursuit of Artificial General Intelligence. Recognizing AI’s considerable benefits, the author argues that authentic human consciousness, with its freedom, unpredictability and moral judgement, remains superior, and that only development guided by ethics and the common good can ensure AI serves humanity rather than threatens it.

    The Role of Artificial Intelligence

    Michael Brett-Crowther
    141-150
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.998182

Book Review