Search Results (144)

Rare earth elements (REEs) have significant application value in the quality control of nuclear materials and in traceability research in nuclear forensics. Methods were developed for the determination of REEs in uranium-bearing nuclear materials. The digestion parameters for uranium oxides and uranium ores, such as the digestion acid, digestion temperature, and digestion time, were optimized and reported. The optimized digestion parameters for uranium oxides were 2 mL HNO₃ at 160 °C for 3 h, and those for uranium ores were 7 mL mixed acid (HNO₃–HClO₄–HF = 5:5:3) at 180 °C for 36 h. Two digestion methods were demonstrated to be effective for the quantitative recovery of REEs. The suitable system and specifications for different resin columns were investigated to achieve a high decontamination factor of U (10⁵) by UTEVA resin. The corresponding loading system was 10 mL 4 M HNO₃, and the elution system was 6 mL 4 M HNO₃. Additionally, the analysis of ultra-trace REEs in high-uranium matrices was accomplished using two UTEVA resins. The developed methods were subjected to the Cochran test and the Grubbs test, and the relative standard deviation (RSD) for all REEs was below 6%. In uranium oxide samples with different spiked amounts, the recovery of REEs exceeded 80% in all cases, and the RSDs were all less than 10%. The method’s detection limits were below 10 ppt for all REEs (except for Ce), ensuring the accurate measurement of REEs in uranium-bearing nuclear materials. Full article

The degradation of metoprolol (MET) has become a topic of interest due to its persistence in the environment. TiO₂ is a catalyst commonly used for the degradation of emergent pollutants through photocatalysis due to its physicochemical properties, and it has been pointed out that its crystallite structure and size affect the photocatalytic efficiency. In this study, three brands of TiO₂ (Evonik P25, Fermont and Sigma Aldrich) were characterized to evaluate their crystallographic and morphological properties. Then, their photocatalytic capacity was tested in solar heterogeneous photocatalysis experiments when degrading MET under various experimental conditions. The TiO₂ catalysts tested yielded different results when degrading MET in photocatalytic experiments, indicating that presence of a rutile phase in the catalyst and the crystal size are important factors for the success of this semiconductor. Results from solar heterogeneous photocatalysis for MET degradation indicate efficiencies as P25 > Sigma-Aldrich > Fermont, but demonstrate that, even lower-priced TiO₂ catalysts yield good results for contaminant degradation (90% MET degradation for P25 against 63% when using Sigma Aldrich TiO₂). This study highlights the potential of solar photocatalysis with lower-priced TiO₂ catalysts as a viable and sustainable solution for the decontamination of pharmaceutical wastewater in large scale photocatalytic applications. Full article

Petroleum hydrocarbon pollution is a serious environmental and human health problem. In recent decades, the impact of this substance has been profound and persistent, affecting the balance of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and leading to significant physical and psychosocial effects among the population. Natural sources (crude oil, natural gas, forest fires, and volcanic eruptions) and anthropogenic (road traffic, smoking, pesticide use, oil drilling, underground water leaks, improper oil spills, industrial and mining waste water washing, etc.), the molar weight of the hydrocarbon, and the physicochemical properties are important factors in determining the degree of pollution. The effects of pollution on the environment consist of altering the fundamental structures for sustaining life (infertile lands, climate change, and loss of biodiversity). In terms of human health, diseases of the following systems occur: respiratory (asthma, bronchitis), cardiovascular (stroke, heart attack), pulmonary (infections, cancer), and premature death. To reduce contamination, sustainable intervention must be carried out in the early stages of the pollution-control process. These include physical techniques (isolation, soil vapor extraction, solvent extraction, soil washing), chemical techniques (dispersants–surfactants, chemical oxidation, solidification/stabilization, thermal desorption), biological techniques (bioremediation, phytoremediation), and indigenous absorbents (peat, straw, wood sawdust, natural zeolites, clays, hemp fibers, granular slag, Adabline II OS). Due to the significant environmental consequences, decisions regarding the treatment of contaminated sites should be made by environmental experts, who must consider factors such as treatment costs, environmental protection regulations, resource recovery, and social implications. Public awareness is also crucial, as citizens need to understand the severity of the issue. They must address the sources of pollution to develop sustainable solutions for ecosystem decontamination. By protecting the environment, we are also safeguarding human nature. Full article

Listeria monocytogenes is often found in pork intestines and can contaminate pork production, posing a risk to consumers. This study aimed to characterize 16 L. monocytogenes isolates from fresh and packaged pork loin, identify their serotypes, and assess antibiotic resistance. To evaluate chitosan susceptibility as a potential strategy to control L. monocytogenes in the pork industry and to determine its effectiveness in a eukaryotic model to demonstrate pathogenicity. Among the 16 isolates examined, 2 were identified as 1/2a, 12 as 1/2b, 2 as 4b, and 2 could not be assigned a serotype. Variations were observed in their pathogenicity factors. Some isolates were lacking in some virulence factors. In the antibiotic assays, all isolates demonstrated resistance to at least three antibiotics, and one of them exhibited resistance to as many as ten antimicrobial agents. To propose an alternative in the food industry as a decontamination agent, a low-molecular-weight chitosan was evaluated. It was shown that chitosan inhibits the growth of L. monocytogenes in a concentration of 0.25% in 45 min, resulting in a viable alternative against this pathogen, but in this work, one isolate exhibited resistance to chitosan (isolate Lm 1.2). Regarding infection in eukaryotic models, all isolates had the capacity to infect chicken embryos, except for isolate 1.2, which exhibited attenuated pathogenicity. These findings highlight the potential public health risk L. monocytogenes poses in pork and the need for continued research to develop effective control strategies. Full article

Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents pose significant challenges requiring swift, coordinated responses to safeguard public health. This is especially the case in densely populated urban areas, where the public is not only at risk but can also be of assistance. Public cooperation is critical to the success of mass decontamination efforts, yet prior research has primarily focused on technical and procedural aspects, neglecting the psychological and social factors driving casualty behaviour. This paper addresses this gap through a narrative literature review, chosen for its flexibility in synthesising fragmented and interdisciplinary research across psychology, sociology, and emergency management. The review identified two primary pathways influencing casualty decision making: rational and affective. Rational pathways rely on deliberate decisions supported by clear communication and trust in responders’ competence, while affective pathways are shaped by emotional responses like fear and anxiety, exacerbated by uncertainty. Trust emerged as a critical factor, with effective —i.e., transparent, empathetic, and culturally sensitive— communication being proven to enhance public cooperation. Cultural and societal norms further shape individual and group responses during emergencies. This paper demonstrates the value of narrative reviews in addressing a complex, multifaceted topic such as casualty behaviour, enabling the integration of diverse insights. By emphasising behavioural, psychological, and social dimensions, the results of this paper offer actionable strategies for emergency responders to enhance public cooperation and improve outcomes during CBRN incidents. Full article

Decontamination robots are becoming more common in environments where reducing human exposure to hazardous substances is essential, including healthcare settings, laboratories, and industrial cleanrooms. Designing terrain-capable decontamination robots quickly is challenging due to varying operational surfaces and mobility limitations. To tackle this issue, a structured recommendation framework is proposed to automate selecting optimal locomotion types and track configurations, significantly cutting down design time. The proposed system features a two-stage evaluation process: first, it creates an annotated compatibility score matrix by validating locomotion types against a robust dataset based on factors like friction coefficient, roughness, payload capacity, and slope gradient; second, it employs a weighted scoring model to rank wheel/track types based on their appropriateness for the identified environmental conditions. User needs are processed dynamically using a large language model, enabling flexible and scalable management of various deployment scenarios. A prototype decontamination robot was developed following the proposed algorithm’s guidance. This framework speeds up the configuration process and establishes a foundation for more intelligent, terrain-aware robot design workflows that can be applied to industrial, healthcare, and service robotics sectors. Full article

Phytoremediation is based on the use of plants to decontaminate water and soil. In this work, the capacity of high Andean vegetation in the absorption and translocation of heavy metals was analyzed. Species were identified to analyze the presence of metals in roots, stems, and leaves by spectrometry. The translocation factor was determined and analyzed by means of pattern clusters. Based on the floristic inventory, the dominance of the Poaceae and Asteraceae families was determined, and 12 plant species with a high importance value were selected. According to the ICP-AES, mercury (951.07 mg/kg) was determined in the roots of Lachemilla orbiculata, and chromium (21.88 mg/kg) in Carex bonplandii. Arsenic (2.79 mg/kg) was detected as being significantly higher than the values recorded in lowland plants. Cadmium mobility was high in all species, reaching higher values in Baccharis salicifolia (86.28%) and Calamagrostis intermedia (37.16%). Rumex acetocella accumulated lead in leaves (9.27%), while Taraxacum officinale (1.20%) and Calamagrostis intermedia (1.20%) accumulated silicon. Stabilization of chromium, mercury, and sodium was determined in the roots without translocation to higher organs. Finally, cluster analysis showed physiological interactions between metals as a toxicity mitigation mechanism affecting mobility. These findings suggest that they are hyperaccumulator species. Full article

Freshwater resources are scarce in tropical island areas. Treating rainwater to produce drinking water through biological slow filtration (BSF) technology can significantly alleviate the problem of freshwater shortages. The characteristics of the filter material are the key factors determining the decontamination performance of BSF technology. However, most existing studies focus on a single filter material. This study was conducted using volcanic rock and coconut shell activated carbon to compare their pollutant removal characteristics in slightly polluted rainwater during the early stage of BSF operation (from the start of operation to day 6, with the first sampling time being 48 h after operation) and during the stable stage (26 days later) and further explore the influence of their mixing ratio. The results show that in the early stages of operation, the pollutant removal performance of volcanic rock and coconut shell activated carbon is better than that of quartz sand. Among them, coconut shell activated carbon showed average removal rates for NH₃-N, TOC, and Cr(VI) that were 6.72, 8.46, and 19.01 percentage points higher than those of volcanic rock, respectively, but its average turbidity removal rate decreased by 5.00%. The removal effect of the mixed filter material was enhanced through the synergistic adsorption mechanism, but most of the improvements were within the standard deviation range and did not exceed the removal range of the single filter material. When the mixing ratio was 1:3, the average total organic carbon removal rate of the filter material was 71.51 ± 0.64%, approximately 0.96 percentage points higher than that of coconut shell activated carbon (70.55 ± 0.42%). While coconut shell activated carbon showed the best removal effect among all single filter materials, this improvement was still within the standard deviation range. Full article

Soil contamination with heavy metals (HMs) poses a significant environmental threat. Phytoremediation, a sustainable and eco-friendly emerging bioremediation approach, utilizes plants to remove, immobilize, or stabilize soil contaminants. This study examines the interactive effects of sulfur (S), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and olive mill wastewater (OMW) on HM uptake and the growth of maize (Zea mays L.) and mustard (Brassica juncea). Mustard exhibited superior dry matter (DM) yield (2.4 g/pot with 5% OMW), nutrient uptake, and tolerance to metal toxicity. The translocation factor (TF) and bioaccumulation factor (BF) for maize and mustard plants vary significantly with different treatments. For maize, the S 2T/ha treatment achieved the highest TF and BF for cadmium (Cd), while 5% OMW led to maximum chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn) uptake. In mustard, 5% OMW treatment resulted in the greatest bioconcentration factor (BCF) for cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), whereas sulfur application yielded the highest TF for Cd. The 5% OMW treatment overall enhanced HM uptake most significantly. Lower sulfur application rate (1 ton/hectare) increased the availability Cd and Pb, boosting plant growth and nutrient uptake. For instance, 1 ton/hectare of sulfur elevated Cd availability to 24.102 mg·kg⁻¹ in maize and 58.705 mg·kg⁻¹ in mustard. EDTA treatments further improved metal bioavailability, increasing Cd levels in maize (10.09 mg·kg⁻¹) and mustard (7.78 mg·kg⁻¹). Mustard’s superior tolerance and nutrient efficiency identify it as a promising candidate for phytoremediation of HM-contaminated soils in arid regions. Innovative treatments with sulfur, EDTA, and olive mill wastewater significantly enhance soil decontamination and plant growth. Full article

Background: Peri-implantitis, the most prevalent cause of implant failure, is a multifaceted issue that is influenced by various factors that promote biofilm formation around the implant. Although various innovative methods for microbiological decontamination of dental implants exist, a universally accepted standard protocol has not yet been established. However, the potential of a device that generates an electric current (Ximplant^®) in reducing the survival of microorganisms within the biofilm is a promising development. Methods: In this in vitro study, five dental implants, contaminated using a microbial culture from a sample of saliva of a patient suffering from peri-implantitis, were decontaminated using the Ximplant^® peri-implantitis protocol. The experimental conditions included a simulated peri-implant site and a subsequent fluorescent assessment of the Live/Dead microbial population. Results: The qualitative and quantitative image analyses showed a predominant dead light signal on the treated sample, demonstrating the potential efficacy of applying the electrostatic field to the contaminated implant surface in reducing the viability of the microorganisms within the biofilm around dental implants. Conclusions: These findings could inspire a new era in peri-implantitis treatment. Full article

Algae absorb nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), as well as dissolved metal ions from polluted waters, and accumulate them in their tissues, thus contributing to the decontamination of water. This feature enables them to be used both as bioindicators of water pollution and in bioremediation applications aimed at the remediation of these waters. This study aims to define the dominant macroscopic green algae species developing in habitats affected by acidic leaks and currents from the copper mine operation site located in the Maden district of Elazığ province (Türkiye) and determine the extent to which these algal biomasses bioaccumulate selected metals (As, Cu, Cr, Hg, Cd, Ni, Pb, Zn) and contribute to water decontamination. For these purposes, metal (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cr, Pb and Cd) analyses were conducted on the algal biomasses collected from the abovementioned habitats and on water samples using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The dominant algal biomasses collected from the seepage water and Maden River habitats were identified as Ulothrix variabilis Kuetzing and Ulothrix tenuissima Kützing, respectively. Heavy metal concentrations (mg/kg dry weight) in the biomasses of Ulothrix variabilis Kuetzing and Ulothrix tenuissima Kützing species were determined as follows: Fe (11,094 mg/kg; 8.26 mg/kg) > Cu (6787 mg/kg; 180 mg/kg) > Zn (680 mg/kg; 283 mg/kg) > Mn (525 mg/kg; 13 mg/kg) > Co (838 mg/kg; 64 mg/kg) > Ni (472 mg/kg; 95 mg/kg)> Cr (164 mg/kg; 107 mg/kg) > Pb (83.6 mg/kg; 68.7 mg/kg) > Cd (1.48 mg/kg; 5.40 mg/kg), respectively. It was found that the affinity of both algal biomasses for the selected metal ions decreased in the order of Fe > Cu > Zn > Mn > Cr > Pb > Cd. Also, according to the calculated bioconcentration factor, it was shown that both algal biomasses were very good heavy metal accumulators. As a result, both algal biomasses can be used as effective biomonitoring agents and bioremediators for acidic and metal-laden polluted waters. Full article

Concerns about the environmental and health risks of synthetic insecticides are driving the search for alternative pest control methods. Leaf-cutting ants (LCAs), one of the most significant pests in the neotropics, cause substantial economic damage to agriculture and present challenges for control due to their complex biology and ecology. While chemical control remains the primary strategy, its intensive use has negative environmental impacts, promotes pest resistance, and endangers non-target species, including plants, animals, and humans. This review describes the biology of LCAs, examines traditional control methods and suggests alternative strategies such as the use of entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) combined with sublethal doses of insecticides, plant essential oils (EOs), and RNAi techniques. Here, we emphasize the need to address LCA management sustainably by investigating the biology and ecology at both the “colony” and “individual” levels. Colony-level factors include morphology, life cycle, behavior, division of labor, and nest structure, while individual-level mechanisms involve sensory, biochemical, and behavioral adaptations for garden sterilization and decontamination. This review also highlights the potential of sublethal insecticide doses combined with EPFs to induce behavioral changes and worker mortality, and it details the mode of action of EOs and the use of RNAi as promising control strategies. The integration of biological and chemical approaches could offer sustainable alternatives to synthetic insecticides. Full article

Oleander poisoning, resulting from the ingestion of Nerium oleander or Thevetia peruviana, is a serious toxicological issue in various parts of the world, particularly in regions where these plants grow abundantly and are easily accessible. Oleander contains potent cardiac glycosides, such as oleandrin and thevetin, which exert powerful effects on the cardiovascular system, leading to symptoms ranging from nausea and abdominal pain to severe arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. This review summarizes the existing literature on the epidemiology, clinical features, pathophysiology, and challenges in treatment management associated with oleander poisoning. While supportive care, gastric decontamination, and the administration of digoxin-specific Fab antibody fragments (Digifab) are essential therapeutic measures, limited access to Digifab, delays in intervention, and insufficient supportive care practices remain significant complicating factors. Particular attention is given to findings from autopsy reports, which provide critical insights into the pathophysiological effects of oleander toxins and help bridge gaps in understanding fatal cases. This review acknowledges key limitations, particularly the scarcity of English-language publications, which restricts input from regions such as southern Asia and the Mediterranean—areas where oleander-related poisoning, especially in cases of intentional self-harm, is more prevalent. Additionally, this review highlights the socio-cultural dimensions of oleander ingestion, often linked to intentional self-poisoning, and emphasizes the need for enhanced preventive measures and public education. Future research efforts should prioritize addressing these gaps through autopsy-based studies and the development of more accessible and effective antidotes, which are essential to mitigate the global health burden of oleander-related mortality. Full article

A four-strain mixture of nontyphoidal Salmonella and a strain of Salmonella Tennessee were exposed to elevated hydrostatic pressures of 350 and 650 MPa for 0 (control), 3, 5, and 10 min at temperatures of 4.4 and 60.0 °C with and without 0.2% carvacrol. Treatments were conducted in PULSE tubes inside the chamber of the Hub880 Barocycler unit. In addition to microbial counts and for better assimilation of synergism of selected extrinsic factors of the study, linear (D-value) and non-linear (k_max) inactivation indices were calculated. A combination of mild heat, a low concentration of carvacrol, and mild pressure resulted in >5.0 log CFU/mL reduction (p < 0.05) in Salmonella serovars, surpassing the log reductions obtained by the current high-pressure processing industry standard. Salmonella Tennessee and the selected strain mixture exhibited comparable (p ≥ 0.05) sensitivity to pressure-based treatments, with D-values (350 MPa/4.4 °C) of 9.43 and 8.22 min, respectively. These values were reduced (p < 0.05) to 4.37 and 4.15 min, respectively, with the addition of 0.2% carvacrol to the pressure-based treatment. The application of mild heat at 60.0 °C and a low concentration of carvacrol showed microbiologically important synergism for augmenting the decontamination efficacy of high-pressure processing against nontyphoidal Salmonella serovars. Full article

The presence of opportunistic pathogens, such as the Enterobacter cloacae complex (ECC), in fresh vegetables poses a significant health risk, particularly amid the ongoing antibiotic resistance crisis. Traditional chemical decontamination methods are often ineffective and these are associated with issues such as cross-resistance between antibiotics and biocides, highlighting the need for alternative approaches. This study describes the isolation of a novel phage, FENT2, with anti-ECC activity, obtained from cattle farm sewage. Belonging to the Seunavirus genus, FENT2 did not carry genes associated with lysogenic cycle, antimicrobial resistance, or virulence factors. The phage demonstrated lytic activity against the host strain E. kobei AG07E, which harbored the mcr-9 gene, exhibiting a narrow host range that also included E. ludwigii strains. In vitro assays using BioTrac (SY-LAB) impedance technology confirmed the sustained lytic activity of FENT2 under food-related stress conditions, including pH levels from 5 to 7 and NaCl concentrations up to 2%. Furthermore, FENT2 demonstrated bactericidal potential on lettuce leaves, achieving 1 log reduction in bacterial counts of the host strain after 30 min immersion treatment. These findings highlight FENT2 as a promising candidate for biocontrol applications, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional decontamination methods for reducing antimicrobial-resistant ECC contamination in fresh produce. Full article