Currently, there is limited understanding of microbial diversity and safety considerations associated with the use of natural substances in pelotherapy, especially concerning fungal diversity and presence. ITS sequencing was used to assess the fungal diversity in natural peloids (peat and sapropel) used in pelotherapy in Lithuania. Fungal diversity and dominance varied across different types of peloids, primarily determined by the environment from which they were sourced. Fungi from the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Mucorales were identified in peloids sourced from peatland but were absent in sapropel peloids obtained from lakes. These fungi are ubiquitous in peatland, where they play a role in decomposing organic matter, however, they can also act as potential pathogens. The presence of potentially pathogenic fungi should be carefully considered when using peatland-derived peloids in pelotherapy. However, further research is needed to evaluate the role of fungi in the beneficial properties of peloids with different compositions at various stages of preparation and use, as well as to assess potential risks.

Potable groundwater (GW) contamination through arsenic (As) is a commonly reported environmental issue in Pakistan. In order to examine the groundwater quality for As contamination, its geochemical behavior, and other physicochemical parameters, 69 samples from various groundwater sources were collected from the mining area of Pind Dadan Khan, Punjab, Pakistan. The results showed the concentration of elevated As, its source of mobilization, and linked public health risk. Arsenic detected in the groundwater samples varied from 0.5 to 100 µg/L, with an average value of 21.38 µg/L. Forty-two samples were beyond the acceptable limit of 10 µg/L of the WHO for drinking purposes. The statistical summary showed that the groundwater cation concentration was in decreasing order such as Na⁺  > Ca²⁺  > Mg²⁺ > K⁺, while anions were as follows: HCO₃^- > SO4^2- > Cl^- > NO₃^-. Hydrochemical facies results depicted that groundwater samples belong to CaHCO₃ type. Rock-water interactions control the hydrochemistry of groundwater. Saturation indices' results indicated the saturation of the groundwater sources for CO₃ minerals due to their positive SI values. Such minerals include aragonite, calcite, dolomite, and fluorite. The principal component analysis (PCA) findings possess a total variability of 77.36% suggesting the anthropogenic and geogenic contributing sources of contaminant. The results of the Exposure-health-risk-assessment model for measuring As reveal significant potential carcinogenic risk exceeding the threshold level (value > 10^-4) and HQ level (value > 1.0).