Abdel-Mohsen Onsy Mohamed

Environmental geotechnics plays a critical role in the development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure systems, while addressing global challenges, such as climate change and resource depletion. This review paper explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science (DS) within environmental geotechnics, and their potential to advance the field while supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By leveraging diverse data sources, including sensors, satellites, laboratory testing and case-history projects, AI-driven and data-centric approaches can support evidence-based decision making for the design, construction and maintenance of climate-resilient infrastructure. The integration of AI and DS enables engineers to efficiently interpret complex datasets, anticipate risks, optimise resource use and respond proactively to evolving ground conditions throughout infrastructure lifecycles. These capabilities contribute to enhanced risk mitigation, environmental protection and sustainable infrastructure development. The synergy between AI–DS and environmental geotechnics directly supports key SDGs, including clean water (SDG 6), industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) and climate action (SDG 13), thereby fostering more sustainable and adaptive approaches to infrastructure and environmental management.

The unprecedented carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the atmosphere, followed by a global surface temperature increase above pre-industrial levels during 2011–2020, of about 1.1°C (over land 1.59°C), have put an urgency on the UN goal of attaining net zero emissions by 2050. Until the transition to clean energy sources is attained, carbon dioxide capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) remain a near-term, high-priority mitigation measure to control carbon dioxide emissions from fossil-fuel-based processes. The present article contributes to the topic of CCUS by assessing, initially, the maturity for industrial-level application of current carbon dioxide capture technologies. Subsequently, the advantages and limitations of geoenvironmental applications of carbon dioxide in the neutralisation of industrial by-products are detailed, as well as the use of carbon dioxide as a working fluid for geothermal heat extraction from abandoned oil and gas wells. The challenges of subsurface formation characteristics for the storage of carbon dioxide, with emphasis on geomechanical behaviour, are discussed. Injection of carbon dioxide into hydrate sediments constitutes another carbon dioxide storage option that can also allow the use of methane as an energy source. Finally, the paper analyses the liability issues of carbon storage projects and the challenge of assessing long-term risks to provide insurance coverage to them.

Reduction of methane and nitrous oxide emissions is critical in order to mitigate climate change. The current article analyses the decarbonisation practices in the municipal solid waste (MSW) and liquid waste industries in the USA, the European Union (EU), and China, which have pursued different strategies toward this goal. EU’s policies have accelerated decarbonisation through aggressive recycling, and by diminishing landfilling and promoting waste-to-energy. In the USA, decarbonisation of the MSW industry has concentrated onto landfill gas energy projects to capture landfill methane and use it as an energy source. Chinese efforts have concentrated on the reduction of open dumps, with recycling and composting appearing to be in their infancy. Decarbonisation of the wastewater treatment industry is lagging behind in all these countries and nitrous oxide emissions have either been flat or even slightly increasing over the last 20 years. Finally, in terms of soil and groundwater remediation, several agencies in the USA, and some European countries have recently started to pay attention to the reduction of the carbon footprint (CFP) by these activities. Pump-and-treat and thermal treatment techniques of soil vapour extraction and thermal desorption can improve their CFP by exploring renewable energy sources during their operations.

The global imperative towards sustainable energy development and the initiatives towards NETZERO have intensified research into unconventional energy resources. In this regard, the untapped potential of geothermal energy can be harnessed either conventionally or by repurposing the near-decommissioned hydrocarbon wells. This study analyses the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) associated with geothermal energy development. A qualitative analysis of various aspects such as (i) technical intricacies, (ii) environmental considerations, (iii) economic viability, and (iv) policies of repurposing the near-decommissioned hydrocarbon wells for geothermal heat has been performed. The technical aspects, namely, operational and reservoir conditions, and the heat extraction methodologies play a significant role in the feasibility of extracting geothermal heat. Also, the environmental considerations and economic viability encompass mitigating the cardon dioxide emissions and providing socio-economic benefits in the form of reduced upfront investment and operational costs. In addition, the utilisation of existing well infrastructure aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and offers a feasible pathway to reduce the carbon footprint. Furthermore, by integrating technical insights with the environmental and economic attributes, this study contributes to the evolving discourse on sustainable energy transitions and offers a roadmap for unlocking the vast geothermal potential within existing oil and gas infrastructure.

This paper analyses the role of electronic waste (E-waste) as a secondary source of critical and precious minerals, addressing the challenges and opportunities in transitioning towards a circular economy (CE) for electronics. The surging global demand for these essential materials, driven by technological advancements and renewable energy infrastructure, necessitates alternative supply strategies due to the depletion of natural reserves and the environmental degradation associated with primary mining. E-waste contains a rich concentration of valuable metals, such as gold, silver, and platinum, making its recovery a promising solution aligned with CE principles, which can mitigate environmental impacts and ensure long-term material availability. This paper examines the environmental, economic, and technological aspects of E-waste recovery, focusing on core processes such as physical and mechanical separation, pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, bio-metallurgical, and electrochemical techniques. It explores innovative strategies to improve material recovery efficiency and sustainability, with consideration of evolving regulatory frameworks, technological advancements, and stakeholder engagement. The analysis highlights that e-waste, particularly printed circuit boards, can contain 40–800 times more gold than mined ore, with 1000–3000 g of gold per tonne compared to 5–10 g per tonne in traditional ores. Recovery costs using advanced E-waste recycling technologies range between $10,000–$20,000 USD per kilogram of gold, significantly lower than the $30,000–$50,000 USD per kilogram in primary mining. Globally, over 50 million tonnes of E-waste are generated annually, yet less than 20% is formally recycled. Efficient recycling methods can recover up to 95% of base and precious metals under optimized conditions. The paper argues that E-waste recycling presents a viable pathway to conserve critical raw materials, reduce environmental degradation, and enhance circular economic resilience. However, it also emphasizes persistent challenges—including high initial investment, technological limitations in developing regions, and regulatory fragmentation—that must be addressed for scalable adoption.

This paper examines the significant contributions of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to the field of radioactive waste management (RadWM). The integration of these advanced technologies enhances safety, efficiency, and accuracy across various processes, including waste characterization, storage, transportation, and disposal. This paper discusses the applications, benefits, challenges, and prospects of these technologies in the RadWM sector with specific applications to training and simulation, and public engagement and education. The enhanced training simulation in immersive training environments, safety drills, and augmented training aids is discussed with examples from the nuclear industry. Similarly, enhancement in public engagement and education is discussed through immersive experiences, explaining various RadWM processes, such as a facility’s design and management, safety features, and environmental impact. The outcomes of this review paper have revealed that the integration of VR and AR technologies in RadWM has positive impacts on training and public engagement. For training and operations, the implementation of these technologies not only provides substantial benefits, including improved accuracy, enhanced safety, and greater efficiency, but also offers innovative ways to engage the public, enhance understanding, and foster transparency in complex and often sensitive areas like RadWM. As these technologies advance and more initiatives adopt VR and AR for training and educational purposes, further examples and case studies are expected to emerge, showcasing its effectiveness in simulating RadWM processes, communicating critical information, and promoting informed decision-making among diverse audiences.

Micro- and nanoplastics generated by friction- and traction-induced wear and tear of rubber tyres, designated as tyre microplastics (TMPs) and tyre nanoplastics (TNPs), are a major source of air, terrestrial and aquatic contamination. These particles are dispersed from the point of generation to distant locations via wind action and stormwater and wastewater discharges, adding to the particulate matter load in ambient air, and resulting in river and marine flora and fauna contamination. The occurrence of TMPs and TNPs in the environment is widespread, persistent and unregulated. This paper critically assesses current scientific knowledge on TMPs and TNPs by conducting a systematic review of their occurrence, methods of identification and characterisation, and knowledge gaps related to their fate, transport and environmental impacts. Their fate primarily depends on the particles’ size, shape, density, composition and possible interactions with living organisms and plants, along with processes like fragmentation, aggregation, sorption and bioaccumulation. These particles also have the potential to leach heavy metals and aromatic hydrocarbons, causing detrimental impacts on aquatic/terrestrial organisms. The lack of standardised methodologies for identification, quantification and characterisation of TMPs/TNPs poses significant challenges in terms of wider environmental risk assessment, while their sources, emissions, transport and impacts remain highly uncertain.

This paper analyses the role of electronic waste (E-waste) as a secondary source of critical and precious minerals, addressing the challenges and opportunities in transitioning towards a circular economy (CE) for electronics. The surging global demand for these essential materials, driven by technological advancements and renewable energy infrastructure, necessitates alternative supply strategies due to the depletion of natural reserves and the environmental degradation associated with primary mining. E-waste contains a rich concentration of valuable metals, making its recovery a promising solution aligned with CE principles, which can mitigate environmental impacts and ensure long-term material availability. The paper examines the environmental, economic, and technological aspects of E-waste recovery, including physical and mechanical separation, pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, bio-metallurgical, and electrochemical processes. It also investigates innovative strategies for improving material recovery and sustainability, considering regulatory frameworks, technological innovations, and stakeholder engagements. The analysis highlights the significant potential of E-waste recycling to conserve natural resources, reduce environmental harm, and enhance economic resilience, while also acknowledging the technical, economic, and regulatory barriers that need to be addressed for widespread adoption.