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Research Article
An Integrated Health-Planning Framework for Climate Resilience
Adeb Ali Ebrahim*
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
1-18
Received:
30 December 2025
Accepted:
13 January 2026
Published:
31 January 2026
Abstract: This study fills a unique gap in the integration of health planning and climate adaptation in places of compounded environmental and socio-economic stressors. It presents the integrated health planning framework for climate zones (IHPF-CZ), which aims to systematically connect climate adaptation and resilience strategies to public health and health equity impacts. The IHPF-CZ was tested empirically during a 12-month multi-modal study in varying climates and socio-economic levels in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Yemen. The IHPF-CZ merges three interdependent components: hybrid gray–green–blue (3-H) infrastructure, digital equity, and adaptive governance. The methodology includes IoT (Internet of Things) sensor networks, AI (artificial intelligence) predictive modeling, health surveillance (via the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision), satellite remote sensing, and blockchain/resource allocation. This integration allows for real-time control, responsive governance, and adaptive planning in resource- and climate-stressed environments. As substantial evidence shows, there are major co-benefits in health, climate, and resource efficiency. Flood occurrences were reduced by 40.1% in areas prone to flooding. In arid cities, average urban ambient temperatures decreased by 5.1°C. There was a 25% reduction in heat-related illnesses, along with declines in emergency visits and community heat stress. In addition, agricultural water use efficiency increased by 30.6%, and equitable resource distribution improved, as shown by a decrease in the Gini coefficient from 0.42 to 0.19. These findings show that when climate adaptation is designed with a health and equity focus instead of simply treating it as a sectoral intervention, it provides significant and measurable benefits to society. The most notable finding of this study is that the IHPF-CZ serves as a proof of concept for a data-driven and scalable model that can achieve the interconnected goals of climate resilience, public health, and sustainable development, particularly in fragile, resource-depleted regions.
Abstract: This study fills a unique gap in the integration of health planning and climate adaptation in places of compounded environmental and socio-economic stressors. It presents the integrated health planning framework for climate zones (IHPF-CZ), which aims to systematically connect climate adaptation and resilience strategies to public health and health...
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Research Article
Geology, Mineralization and Tectonic Evolution of the Menge Area, Western Part of Ethiopia
Mesfin Tadesse Wolde*
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
19-25
Received:
10 December 2025
Accepted:
22 December 2025
Published:
31 January 2026
Abstract: In today’s Ethiopia, gold is the country’s largest hard currency earner. While Ethiopia also exports other valuable minerals such as sapphire, opal, tantalum, emerald, gemstones, and marble, gold has become the focal point for the country's economic transformation. The Menge area, nestled in the Benishangul Gumuz region of Western Ethiopia, is part of the broader Arabian-Nubian Shield, a geological formation renowned for its mineral wealth, particularly gold and base metals. The Menge area in Western Ethiopia presents a complex geological landscape characterized by diverse mineralization and significant geochemical resources. The regional geology of Menge reflects its position within the Arabian-Nubian Shield, which is characterized by a tectonic history involving significant crustal deformations from the Pan-African orogeny. The area is predominantly underlain by low-grade volcanic and sedimentary successions, with granitic intrusions playing a vital role in the overall mineralization framework. This paper synthesizes existing literature on the geology, mineralization processes, and geochemistry of the region, emphasizing the local geological domains, their mineral potential, and the overall tectonic setting. The findings are crucial for guiding future exploration and exploitation endeavors in the area, with implications for local and national economic development. This paper encapsulates the geological, mineralogical, and geochemical facets of the Menge area to provide an informative foundation about the mineral resources of the study area.
Abstract: In today’s Ethiopia, gold is the country’s largest hard currency earner. While Ethiopia also exports other valuable minerals such as sapphire, opal, tantalum, emerald, gemstones, and marble, gold has become the focal point for the country's economic transformation. The Menge area, nestled in the Benishangul Gumuz region of Western Ethiopia, is part...
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Research Article
Mineralogical and Geochemical Characterization of Silica Sand Deposits in Mugar, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
Wakjira Tesfaye*
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
26-32
Received:
30 December 2025
Accepted:
26 January 2026
Published:
6 February 2026
Abstract: The industrialization of the Ethiopian economy necessitates the identification and characterization of high-purity mineral resources to support domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on expensive imports. This research provides a comprehensive mineralogical and geochemical characterization of the silica sand deposits located in the Mugar area, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. The study focuses on the Koffe-Mute sector within the Mesozoic sedimentary architecture of the Abay (Blue Nile) Basin. Analytical techniques including X-ray Diffraction (XRD), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF and granulometric sieving were utilized to evaluate the suitability of these sands for industrial applications, specifically glass and ceramic manufacturing. The results indicate that the Mugar silica sand is exceptionally pure, with quartz content ranging from 96% to 98% and silicon dioxide (SiO2) concentrations averaging above 96%. Major impurities, primarily Fe2O3, range from 0.08% to 0.33%, falling within acceptable limits for sheet and container glass production. Mineralogical analysis reveals high crystallinity and high textural maturity, with sub-rounded to well-rounded grains. Physical property assessments show that over 75% of the grain size distribution falls within the 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm range, which is ideal for efficient melting in glass furnaces. The study concludes that the Mugar deposit represents a strategic resource for the national mineral development strategy, offering significant potential for import substitution in the burgeoning Ethiopian glass and construction sectors. Beneficiation strategies, particularly acid leaching, are recommended to further elevate the purity for specialized high-tech applications.
Abstract: The industrialization of the Ethiopian economy necessitates the identification and characterization of high-purity mineral resources to support domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on expensive imports. This research provides a comprehensive mineralogical and geochemical characterization of the silica sand deposits located in the Mugar area, ...
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Research Article
Utilizing the Taguchi Method to Optimize Slope Stability and Analyse Parameter Sensitivity in Road Cuts: Insights from Southern Ethiopia
Aklilu Shitu*,
Ermias Shitu
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
33-54
Received:
5 January 2026
Accepted:
26 January 2026
Published:
6 February 2026
Abstract: Slope instability represents a major challenge for road infrastructure in mountainous regions, particularly where complex geology, intense rainfall, and shallow groundwater prevail. The Masha–Alemtena–Teppi Road corridor in southern Ethiopia has experienced recurrent slope failures that threaten public safety and infrastructure performance. This study investigates the failure mechanisms along critical road sections and identifies the most influential parameters governing slope stability. An integrated approach combining geotechnical field investigations, laboratory testing, geophysical surveys, and numerical slope stability modeling was adopted. Limit equilibrium analyses were performed using Rocscience SLIDE software to compute the Factor of Safety (FOS) under existing, saturated, and design cut conditions. The results show that current FOS values range from 0.56 to 0.89, indicating unstable to critically unstable slopes. Sensitivity analysis revealed that increasing cohesion or friction angle by up to 100% was insufficient to raise FOS above the safe threshold of 1.5, whereas groundwater conditions had a pronounced effect. Under dry conditions, FOS values increased to 2.01–2.73, while full saturation reduced FOS to as low as 0.35–0.59. To quantitatively assess parameter influence, the Taguchi method was applied using an L9 orthogonal array with cohesion, internal friction angle, and saturation as control factors. Signal-to-noise ratio analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA) results indicate that saturation accounts for 89–91% of FOS variation across all sections, while cohesion and friction angle contribute less than 7% each. Back analysis estimated required reinforcement forces ranging from 1,283 to 2,197 kN to achieve a target FOS of 1.5. Based on these findings, site-specific remedial measures, including drainage systems, slope re-profiling, and retaining structures—were proposed, resulting in improved FOS values of up to 2.36. The study demonstrates that integrating statistical optimization with conventional geotechnical analysis provides a robust and efficient framework for slope stability assessment and mitigation design in landslide-prone regions.
Abstract: Slope instability represents a major challenge for road infrastructure in mountainous regions, particularly where complex geology, intense rainfall, and shallow groundwater prevail. The Masha–Alemtena–Teppi Road corridor in southern Ethiopia has experienced recurrent slope failures that threaten public safety and infrastructure performance. This st...
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Research Article
Operational Control of Fluoride Removal Using Calcium-Modified Moringa Oleifera Seed Powder: Influence of Dosage and Particle Geometry
Geoffrey Chavaregi*,
John Kituyi Lusweti,
Pius Keronei Kipkemboyi
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
55-64
Received:
9 September 2025
Accepted:
27 January 2026
Published:
9 February 2026
Abstract: Adsorption-based separation processes continue to attract scientific interest as low-energy strategies for modifying aqueous chemistry under resource-limited conditions. Within this context, plant-derived materials offer a flexible platform for turning surface reactivity through simple chemical and physical modifications. This study examined how calcium modification and particle-scale control influence fluoride uptake behaviour in Moringa oleifera seed powder (MOSP), with emphasis on operational performance rather than material synthesis. Batch experiments were conducted to quantify fluoride removal efficiency, residual fluoride concentration, and adsorption capacity using calcium-spiked and non-spiked MOSP across a range of adsorbent dosages, particle sizes, and mesh size classifications. Statistical analysis demonstrated that adsorbent dosage significantly affected all fluoride removal indicators (p < 0.001). Increasing dosage enhanced overall fluoride removal efficiency while reducing mass-normalised adsorption capacity, indicating distinct scaling behaviour between system-level removal and material-level uptake. Physical structuring of the adsorbent exerted a strong influence on performance. Finer particle fractions consistently produced higher removal efficiencies and lower residual fluoride concentrations than coarser fractions, a trend confirmed using both particle size and mesh size classifications. Interaction mapping revealed that fluoride removal efficiency was maximised under combined conditions of fine particle size and moderate-to-high dosage, particularly for calcium-spiked MOSP. In contrast, non-spiked MOSP exhibited a narrower operational window, with reduced performance across most dosage-particle size combinations. Across all experimental conditions, calcium-spiked MOSP outperformed the unmodified material, achieving higher removal efficiencies and lower residual fluoride concentrations. These results demonstrate that fluoride removal using MOSP is not solely dependent on chemical composition but is strongly governed by operational configuration. The findings highlight the importance of integrating chemical modification with particle-scale optimisation when designing adsorption-based water treatment systems. Calcium-modified Moringa oleifera seed powder therefore represents a scientifically tractable and operationally adaptable material for fluoride control in decentralized and low-infrastructure environments.
Abstract: Adsorption-based separation processes continue to attract scientific interest as low-energy strategies for modifying aqueous chemistry under resource-limited conditions. Within this context, plant-derived materials offer a flexible platform for turning surface reactivity through simple chemical and physical modifications. This study examined how ca...
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Research Article
Geology, Geochemistry, and Economic Evaluation of Feldspar Quartz Pegmatites in the Kenticha Serpentinite Massif, Southern Ethiopia
Mitiku Tamene*,
Wakjira Tesfaye
Issue:
Volume 1, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
65-72
Received:
2 January 2026
Accepted:
29 January 2026
Published:
11 February 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.sdenv.20260101.16
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Abstract: The Kenticha pegmatite deposits, which are known as world-class rare element deposits of the Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) type, occur in the Adola Belt, specifically within Ethiopia. This report presents a comprehensive geological, geochemical assessment of pegmatite deposits of feldspar-quartz composition, which occur in the Gara Kenticha serpentinite massif. The study has been done by analyzing five principal pegmatite veins, whose orientation, geochemical differentiation, and estimates of mineral composition have been determined. The chemical analysis of 12 representative pegmatite samples indicates that the region has high-quality feldspar of 17.2% Al2O3, 13.5% total alkalis, and very low Fe2+ oxide of less than 0.3%. The massif has been estimated to contain 7.2 million tons of high-quality pure quartz, while that of the major pegmatite deposits is over 2.7 million tons of feldspar deposits. Geochemically, the pegmatite deposits were formed as a consequence of post-collisional extension of the East African Orogeny at 530 Ma, which was due to extreme fractionation of peraluminous granitic magma. Although of high geological feasibility, development of this project is currently impeded by socio-economic conditions of development of the Guji zone as well as by its centralized regulation. This report combines mineralogical information available with industrial standards to promote the development of local processing plants, which could be a boost for the industrial mineral industry in Ethiopia.
Abstract: The Kenticha pegmatite deposits, which are known as world-class rare element deposits of the Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) type, occur in the Adola Belt, specifically within Ethiopia. This report presents a comprehensive geological, geochemical assessment of pegmatite deposits of feldspar-quartz composition, which occur in the Gara Kenticha serpent...
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