The catch dynamics of Coilia nasus in the Chikugo River estuary are explored through a comprehensive study utilizing fish catch data collection, instrumental monitoring, in-situ observations, and advanced predictive modelling techniques. Fish catch data of C. nasus obtained during its spawning season employing traditional fishing techniques at a site situated 14.6 to 16 km upstream from the river mouth from 2009 to 2020 was used. Spanning the same period, environmental parameters, including salinity, turbidity, and water temperature, were monitored, alongside hourly fish catch records. The longitudinal variation of environmental parameters between 0-16 km was measured during a fortnightly tidal cycle in September 2010. Utilizing Random Forest Regression, a predictive model was developed, demonstrating strong agreement between observed and predicted Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) values (R² = 0.89). The predicted CPUE and corresponding environmental parameters obtained from in-situ observations during a fortnightly tidal cycle provided spatial and temporal insights into catch variations along the estuary. The spatial distribution analyses highlighted the importance of habitat characteristics, with salinity levels ranging from 0-3 depicting higher catch. The spatial and temporal distribution analyses underscored the profound influence of habitat characteristics, notably the freshwater-saltwater interface and the Estuarine Turbidity Maximum (ETM) zone, alongside tidal effects, emerged as pivotal determinants of higher CPUE values. These findings offer valuable insights for fisheries management and ecosystem conservation in estuarine systems.

 The decrease in soil fertility due to natural and anthropogenic factors has reduced crop growth and yield. The use of carbon-rich amendments in soil, such as biochar and plastic char, increases soil fertility, thereby promoting crop growth. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of biochar and plastic char on spinach growth. A pot experiment was conducted in two phases (namely, the first and second experiments). The soil was treated with (1) biochar (B), (2) plastic char (P), and (3) a mixture of B and P (B+P). A total of five treatment rates for each phase (first phase: 1 t/ha, 5 t/ha, 10 t/ha, 15 t/ha, and 20 t/ha, and 2nd phase: 0.2 t/ha, 0.4 t/ha, 0.6 t/ha, 0.8 t/ha, and 1 t/ha) were applied including control. The second experiment was conducted because the first experiment failed to identify the minimum amount required for treatment. In each treatment, the soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total organic carbon (TOC), water holding capacity (WHC), and fresh weight biomass (FWB) significantly increased in the treated soil compared with the control. The results indicated that plastic char treatment has a significant effect on the growth of spinach. However, despite performing the two experiments, we still could not determine the minimum amount required for treatment because even the lowest treatment rate increased the soil pH, EC, TOC, WHC, and FWB of spinach. Since the treatment with plastic char alone showed the best outcomes, namely, a twofold increase in crop yield and FWB of spinach, we suggest that plastic char is an effective alternative to biochar as a soil amendment.

 The escalating levels of heavy metals in soil, attributed to diverse sources, pose a pressing concern for human and animal health through their entry into the food chain. This study aimed to evaluate the uptake behavior of Cu, Zn, and Pb in carrots grown in different levels of contaminated soil (control, 30, 60, 90, 120 ppm) and to assess the associated health risks to mitigate the enrichment of heavy metals. The pot study revealed distinct trends in the bioaccumulation of these metals within the carrot plants, with Zn exhibiting the highest uptake, followed by Cu and Pb. Results demonstrated varying ranges of metal concentrations in the carrot plants, at 120 ppm soil contamination level, Zn, Cu, and Pb concentrations in the edible part of the carrot measured 59.7, 27.5, and 2.5 mg kg^-1, respectively, surpassing WHO limits. Bioaccumulation factor spanning from 0.3 to 0.6 for Cu, 0.3 to 0.8 for Zn, and 0 to 0.4 for Pb, indicating differential uptake behaviors among these metals. Health risk index (< 1) indicated that immediate health risks were not significant but highlighting potential risks with long-term exposure. Notably, the side roots of the carrot plant exhibited higher metal concentrations, underscoring the importance of consuming washed and peeled carrots. This study emphasizes the implementation of preventive measures, such as optimal soil zone management and regular monitoring of soil and crop metal concentrations, to mitigate the adverse effects of heavy metal toxicity.