ChemEngineering

Mining is associated with specific heavy metals (HMs), including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and other toxic metals. These metals contaminate water and accumulate in both children and adults at varying concentrations, resulting in severe health implications. This paper examines the impact of barite mining on water quality, human well-being, and the environment. It evaluates the health implications of natural and anthropogenic activities on the selective liberation of heavy metals at mining sites. The potential environmental impact on mining communities in the extreme dry (April), early or mid-rainy (July), and optimum rainy (October) seasons of the year is also elucidated. Ponds within six barite mining sites were analysed using an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) to identify these metals in water samples. The implications of HM concentrations on the well-being of the young and adults were examined and assessed using relevant mathematical expressions, and the outcome was compared with national and international environmental standards. Results show that the ponds within the barite mining sites are contaminated with copper (Cu), barium (Ba), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and iron (Fe). The HM concentration exceeds the reference dose (RfD) or tolerable daily intake (TDI) stated by global and national standards for water quality and healthy living. Statistical assessments indicated that the non-carcinogenic risks of Pb and Cd are higher in children than in adults. In addition to mining, farming activities may increase HM contamination within the areas. It is anticipated that existing policy frameworks and water laws will be reviewed to support efforts for the early detection of HMs in water through medical examinations, water quality assessments, and non-carcinogenic risk (NCR) assessments.

To develop a novel pH-responsive multifunctional wound dressing, this study designed a ferulic acid (FA)–cellulose-grafted polymer that leverages the pH-responsive properties of FA. This polymer enables the rapid detection of pH fluctuations in wound environments and effectively monitors acute inflammatory changes. This study innovatively employed FA as the functional compound, horseradish peroxidase (HRP)/ascorbic acid (AA) as the catalytic system, and hydrogen peroxide as the initiator, successfully achieving a grafting reaction between cellulose and FA. Through optimized experiments, the optimal amounts of the FA, AA, HRP enzyme, and hydrogen peroxide were determined. Under these optimal conditions, the K/S value of the FA-grafted fabrics exceeded one, with a grafting rate surpassing 1%. The structure of the cellulose–FA was characterized by FT-IR, HPLC, and ¹H NMR, and the possible grafting mechanisms were analyzed. Subsequently, FA-grafted fabric samples were immersed in solutions with varying pH levels, and the material’s pH responsiveness was analyzed through color changes. When the solution’s pH shifted from 3 to 12, the grafted fabric exhibited significant color variations. Consequently, FA-grafted cellulose shows great potential for monitoring skin wound acidity/alkalinity changes and detecting inflammatory responses.

This study investigates the valorization of two agri-food residues, specifically olive pomace (alperujo, A) and banana peel (B), into efficient N-doped carbon-based catalysts for polluted wastewater treatment. The residues were converted into hydrochar (HA and HB), which were subsequently N-doped using polyethylenimine (PEI) in combination with cross-linkers (glutaraldehyde (GTA) or 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC)) to optimize their catalytic properties. The enhanced hydrochars were utilized as catalysts for the removal of organic pollutants from water by activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Characterization techniques, including CHNS, FTIR, XPS, SEM and electrochemical analysis, were employed to understand the physicochemical properties of the materials. The catalytic activity was evaluated using Reactive Black 5 (RB5) as a model pollutant, with the N-doped alperujo-derived hydrochar cross-linked with EDC (N-HA-EDC) showing the best performance, achieving 80% removal in 60 min and an adsorption capacity of 97 mg/g. The versatility of this functionalization approach was assessed through tests with three pharmaceuticals, corroborating the adaptability and efficacy of the catalyst and demonstrating its potential for wastewater treatment applications. This study provides insights into the development of sustainable, cost-effective carbocatalysts, aligning with circular economy and zero waste principles.