Search Results (66)

The synthesis of two novel materials, aluminum-based MOF (Al-MOF) and cellulose-modified MOF (Al-MOF@C), as adsorbents is presented. Al-MOF was synthesized from aluminum sec-butoxide and terephthalic acid in a 1:1 molar ratio using a solvothermal method. Al-MOF@C was synthesized under similar solvothermal conditions by reacting environmentally friendly starting materials such as aluminum sec-butoxide, terephthalic acid, and cellulose in a 1:1:1 molar ratio. The synthesized materials’ structural, morphological, and surface properties were thoroughly characterized using XRD, SEM, EDS, BET (with specific surface areas calculated as 563.9 m²/g for Al-MOF and 487.1 m²/g for Al-MOF@C), and FTIR analyses. Then they were utilized in the water treatment process to remove the highly toxic anionic Congo red (CR) dye. Dye adsorption studies were carried out using UV-Vis spectroscopy. Batch adsorption experiments showed that Al-MOF and Al-MOF@C materials adsorbed CR dye with removal efficiencies of 95.06% and 91.79% in just 4 min, respectively. The equilibrium adsorption isotherm data for Al-MOF and Al-MOF@C were best fitted by the Langmuir model, and the calculated maximum adsorption capacities were 80.64 mg/g and 68.96 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption kinetics exhibited an excellent correlation with the pseudo-second-order model (R² = 0.9975 for Al-MOF and R² = 0.9936 for Al-MOF@C). Measurements taken after the adsorption process showed that Al-MOFs synthesized using environmentally friendly chemicals retained their stable chemical structure in aqueous environments and thus did not create secondary pollution in the environment, highlighting the importance of this study. Chemically stable, thermodynamically favorable, and highly reusable Al-MOF adsorbents offer a promising solution for the advanced environmental remediation of hazardous dye contaminants. Full article

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), a highly stable and mechanically transmissible tobamovirus, poses a significant threat to solanaceous crops worldwide, particularly tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). While its transmission via human activities and contaminated materials is well-documented, the role of common phytophagous insects in its epidemiology remains less understood. Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata, the Hadda beetle, is a common pest of Solanaceae with a host range that overlaps extensively with that of ToBRFV. This study aimed to quantify the beetle’s capacity to act as a mechanical vector and to assess its potential epidemiological impact. Using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), we evaluated beetle-mediated transmission efficiency, the persistence of its virus-carrying capacity, and its ability to vector the virus to various solanaceous hosts. Our results demonstrate that H. vigintioctopunctata efficiently acquires and transmits ToBRFV to tomato and other key hosts, including black nightshade (S. nigrum), pepper (Capsicum annuum), and eggplant (Solanum melongena). The virus was retained and remained transmissible by beetles for up to 48 h post-acquisition, providing a significant window for dispersal. Viral particles were most abundant in the digestive tract, consistent with ingestion of infected tissue, and declined rapidly on external body parts, confirming a non-circulative, mechanical transmission mechanism. Furthermore, feeding wounds created by non-viruliferous beetles increased plant susceptibility to subsequent infection from environmental contamination. We conclude that H. vigintioctopunctata acts as a potential mechanical vector that might amplify ToBRFV spread at local and landscape levels. This highlights a synergistic interaction between a native pest and an invasive pathogen, underscoring the necessity of incorporating beetle management into integrated strategies for controlling ToBRFV. Full article

In order to investigate the current status of soil heavy metal pollution, ecological risk, and risk sources in the black soil area of the Eastern Inner Mongolia Province, topsoil (0–20 cm) samples from farmland in the black soil area (N = 163) were collected to determine the contents of seven heavy metals. The levels of soil heavy metal pollution and ecological risk in the study area were evaluated by combining the geo-accumulation index, potential ecological risk index, and static environmental carrying capacity; the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was used to identify the pollution sources and contributions of heavy metals in the soil and analyze the risk levels to adults and children. The soil was predominantly weakly acidic, with mean values of Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Cd, Pb, and Zn of 61.77, 26.77, 17.07, 12.11, 0.08, 12.61, and 85.71 mg·kg⁻¹. The mean concentrations of heavy metals exceeded the background values, except for Pb, the mean concentration of which was lower than the soil background. Ni concentrations of 6.21% at the sampling sites exceeded the risk screening value for agricultural soils. The geo-accumulation index showed that Cr (55.15%) and As (54.00%) were mainly mild pollutants; the static environmental carrying capacity indicated that the soils were slightly polluted by Ni, As, and Zn; and the potential ecological risk indices of Cd, Ni, and As were at moderate levels. The PMF model analyzed three pollution sources: mixed agricultural practice–transportation sources (39.46%), mineral-related activity sources (27.01%), and pesticide–fertilizer agricultural practices (33.53%). The human health risk assessment indicated that 46.58% of sampling sites posed a carcinogenic risk to children, with Ni as the main carcinogenic element. In conclusion, the potential contamination of As, Cd, Ni, Cr, and Zn in the Eastern Inner Mongolia farmland black soil area should be further studied. Full article

The adsorptive removal of tetracycline (TC) in aqueous solution, a widely used antibiotic, was investigated using activated carbon derived from cotton textile waste. The valorization of textile waste provides a sustainable strategy that not only reduces the growing accumulation of discarded textiles but also supports a circular economy by transforming waste into efficient adsorbent materials for the removal pharmaceutical contaminants. This dual environmental and economic benefit underscores the novelty and significance of using cotton-based activated carbons in wastewater treatment. In this study, cotton textile waste was utilized as a raw material for the preparation of adsorbents via pyrolysis under nitrogen at 600 °C followed by chemical modification with H₂SO₄ solutions (1, 2, and 3 M). The sulfuric-acid modified-carbons (SMCs) were characterized by BET surface area analysis, FTIR spectroscopy and SEM imaging. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of key operational parameters including contact time, initial TC concentration and solution pH. The results showed that the material treated with 2 M H₂SO₄ displayed the highest adsorption performance, with a specific surface area of 700 m²/g and a pore volume of 0.352 m³/g. The pH has a great influence on TC adsorption; the adsorbed amount increases with the initial TC concentration from 5 to 100 mg/L and the maximum adsorption capacity (74.02 mg/g) is obtained at pH = 3.8. The adsorption behavior was best described by Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. This study demonstrates that low-cost and abundantly available material, such as cotton textile waste, can be effectively repurposed effective adsorbents for the removal of pharmaceutical pollutants from aqueous media. Full article

Shellfish are an essential component of the human diet, yet their safety is increasingly compromised by contamination with heavy metals, petroleum hydrocarbons, and pathogenic microorganisms, such as Vibrio, which pose significant health risks. This study examined shellfish samples from seafood markets, assessing the levels of heavy metals (e.g., cadmium, copper) and petroleum hydrocarbons, while isolating and identifying Vibrio species carried by the shellfish. The antimicrobial resistance profiles, resistance genes, and biofilm-forming capacities of these strains were further characterized. Results revealed significant seasonal fluctuations in heavy metal concentrations, with some samples exceeding regulatory limits, indicating potential health risks for long-term consumers. Likewise, Vibrio abundance and resistance varied seasonally, with a notable prevalence of multidrug-resistant strains, likely influenced by antibiotic misuse and environmental pressures in coastal regions. Correlation analyses suggested potential links between heavy metal contamination and Vibrio resistance, as well as biofilm formation, supporting the hypothesis that metal-induced stress may facilitate resistance gene transfer and enhance biofilm-mediated resistance. This study reveals the seasonal dynamics of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in shellfish-derived Vibrio species and elucidates the dose–response effects of heavy metals and petroleum hydrocarbons, as well as their synergistic selection mechanisms. These findings provide a scientific foundation for assessing shellfish safety, deciphering AMR transmission, and developing ecosystem-based strategies for aquaculture monitoring. Full article

The development of advanced photocatalysts that are efficient, recyclable and sustainable represents a significant challenge in the face of the growing presence of persistent organic contaminants in industrial wastewaters. This paper presents a novel approach based on the design of new heterostructures synthesized from BiOI and magnetic materials, using not only synthetic magnetite, but also magnetic compounds extracted from mine tailings, transforming environmental liabilities in active supporting materials through valorization strategies in line with the circular economy. Through precise control of composition, it was established that a proportion of 6% by mass of the magnetic phase allows the formation of a heterostructure that is highly photocatalytically efficient. These compounds were evaluated using caffeic acid, an organic contaminant of agroindustrial origin, as a target compound. Experiments were carried out under simulated solar radiation for 120 min. Among the materials synthesized, the BiOI/MMA heterostructure, derived from industrial tailing A, displayed an outstanding photodegradation efficiency of over 89.4 ± 0.25%, attributed to an effective separation of photoinduced charges, a broad active surface and a synergic interface interaction between its constituent phases. Furthermore, BiOI/MMA exhibited excellent structural stability and magnetic recovery capacity, which allowed for its reuse through two consecutive cycles without any significant losses to its photocatalytic performance. Thus, this study constitutes a significant contribution to the design of functional photocatalysts derived from industrial tailings, thus promoting clean, technological solutions for the treatment of wastewater and reinforcing the link between environmental remediation and circular economy. Full article

The escalating threats of climate change, pollution, and a rapidly growing global population are putting immense pressure on water resources, highlighting the urgent need for innovative wastewater recycling solutions. This study explores the potential of biochar, derived from common kitchen waste as a sustainable and efficient adsorbent for copper removal from contaminated water. Seven factors were studied for their influence on the adsorption process, including heavy metal concentration (50–250 ppm), biochar dosage (0.5–2.5 g), contact time (30 min to 29 h), temperature (20–80 °C), pH (2.67–8.07), and the efficacy of activated versus non-activated biochar, with activation carried out using phosphoric acid, silver nitrate, and sulfuric acid. Biochar characterization using Raman spectroscopy, specific surface area by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis (BET), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy—Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and zeta potential analysis revealed its robust adsorption capacity. Notably, silver nitrate-loaded biochar exhibited the highest adsorption capacity (24.44 mg/g) at 250 ppm of copper and the highest removal rate at about 99.3%, whereas phosphoric acid activation reduced this capacity to 5 mg/g due to structural damage. Importantly, biochar’s adsorption capacity was found to be pH-independent, simplifying operational requirements for treatment systems. Optimal conditions for maximum copper removal were determined to be 100 ppm of copper, a temperature of 60 °C, and a contact time of 30 min. The Langmuir isotherm model best described the adsorption process, indicating a monolayer adsorption with a maximum capacity of 23.25 mg/g. This comprehensive analysis underscores biochar’s potential as a cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly solution for copper removal from wastewater. Full article

This study addresses the environmental challenge of surfactant removal from wastewater, focusing on the increased surfactant use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Polymeric waste, specifically polyurethane (PU) and polyamide (PA), was repurposed for surfactant adsorption to mitigate these environmental impacts. Methods included preparing surfactant solutions of sodium linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) and dodecyl pyridinium chloride (DPC) and the mechanical processing of polymeric residues. PU and PA were characterized by FTIR-ATR and by the pH at the point of zero charge, which yielded pH = 8.0 for both polymers. The adsorption efficiency was optimized using a central composite face-centered design, varying pH, temperature, and time. The results indicated that PU and PA effectively adsorbed anionic and cationic surfactants, with specific conditions enhancing performance. From the optimized experimental conditions, four assays were carried out to evaluate the adsorption isotherms and kinetics. Among the fitted models, the SIPS model was the most representative, indicating a heterogeneous surface. Regarding LAS, the maximum adsorption capacity values were ~90 and 15 mg g⁻¹, respectively, for PU and PA. Considering the DPC surfactant, lower values were obtained (~36 mg g⁻¹ for PU and 16 mg g⁻¹ for PA). The results are satisfactory because the adsorbents used in this study were second-generation waste and were used without treatment or complex modifications. The study concluded that using polymeric waste for surfactant removal offers a sustainable solution, transforming waste management while addressing environmental contamination. This approach provides a method for reducing surfactant levels in wastewater and adds value to otherwise discarded materials, promoting a circular economy and sustainable waste reuse. Full article

With the rapid development of industry and agriculture, soil heavy metal contamination has become an important environmental issue faced today and has gradually attracted widespread attention. Finding a cheap, widely available, and biodegradable material that can promote crop growth and stabilize heavy metals has become a research focus. Crop straw biochar, due to its high specific surface area, rich surface functional groups, and high cation exchange capacity (CEC), has shown good effects on the remediation of inorganic and organic pollutants in the environment. This article reviews recent research on the use of crop straw biochar for soil heavy metal contamination remediation, providing a detailed analysis from the preparation, characteristics, modification of crop straw biochar, mechanisms for reducing the toxicity of heavy metals in soil, and its application and risks in remediating heavy metal-contaminated soils. It also comprehensively discusses the potential application of crop straw biochar in the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils. The results show that crop straw biochar can be used as a new type of immobilizing material for the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils, but there are issues with the remediation technology that needs to be optimized and innovated, which poses challenges to the widespread application of crop straw biochar. In the future, efforts should be strengthened to optimize and innovate the application technology of crop straw biochar, conduct research on the remediation effects of cheap modified crop straw biochar and the co-application of crop straw biochar with other immobilizing materials on heavy metal-contaminated soils, and carry out long-term monitoring of the effects of crop straw biochar in soil heavy metal remediation in order to achieve the goal of ensuring food safety and the rational use of solid waste. Full article

Diesel contamination in water bodies poses a significant environmental challenge due to the toxic effects of its water-soluble fraction (WSF) on aquatic ecosystems and human health. The aim of this work was the design of a new technological procedure for the purification of water contaminated with the WSF of diesel. The procedure is based on the adsorption of organic pollution on an organozeolite, after which the biodegradation of the adsorbed pollutant takes place. The material for obtaining organozeolite was a natural zeolite from the Zlatokop deposit (Vranje, Serbia). The zeolitic surface was modified with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA-Br), a cationic quaternary ammonium salt. The adsorption experiments, with initial WSF concentrations of 2.5–25 mg/L, at pH 6 and at 20 °C, were performed in a batch system using organozeolite, and the results showed that more than 90% of the WSF of diesel was removed, reaching equilibrium after 1 h. The maximum adsorbed capacity of organozeolite for the removal of the WSF of diesel fuel from water under the tested conditions was 22.2 mg/g. Equilibrium data were well fitted by a linear isotherm model, while a pseudo-second-order equation well fitted the kinetic data. After adsorption, a 15-day biodegradation experiment was carried out under batch conditions. The results showed that the examined consortium of microorganisms degraded 80% of the adsorbed contaminant. Additional respirometric analyses showed that, in parallel with the degradation of the contaminant, the degradation of the long-chain HDTMA ions at the surface of the organozeolite also occurred. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study combining adsorption and biodegradation to remove the WSF of diesel from water. Full article

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are emerging as significant environmental contaminants, posing potential health risks worldwide. Intensive livestock farming, particularly swine production, is a primary contributor to the escalation of ARG pollution. In this study, we employed metagenomic sequencing and quantitative polymerase chain reaction to analyze the composition of microorganisms and ARGs across four vectors in a typical swine fattening facility: dung, soil, airborne particulate matter (PM), and fodder. Surprisingly, soil and PM harbored a higher abundance of microorganisms and ARGs than dung. At the same time, fodder was more likely to carry eukaryotes. Proteobacteria exhibited the highest propensity for carrying ARGs, with proportions 9–20 times greater than other microorganisms. Furthermore, a strong interrelation among various ARGs was observed, suggesting the potential for cooperative transmission mechanisms. These findings underscore the importance of recognizing soil and PM as significant reservoirs of ARGs in swine facilities alongside dung. Consequently, targeted measures should be implemented to mitigate their proliferation, mainly focusing on airborne PM, which can rapidly disseminate via air currents. Proteobacteria, given their remarkable carrying capacity for ARGs with the primary resistance mechanism of efflux, represent a promising avenue for developing novel control strategies against antibiotic resistance. Full article

A critical meta-analysis of the past decade’s investigations was carried out with the aim of assessing the use of plant-based techniques for soil remediation. Potentially toxic element (PTE) contaminated soils were selected since these contaminants are considered hazardous and have long-term effects. Furthermore, energy, aromatic, and medicinal plants were studied as their high-value products seem to be affected by PTEs’ existence. Lead (Pb), Cu, Cd, Zn, Cr, Co, Ni, Hg, and As accumulation in different parts of plant species has been investigated using proper indices. Aromatic plants seem to provide high phytoremediation yields. Increasing toxicity levels and the coexistence of many metals enhance the accumulation capacity of aromatic plants, even of toxic Cd. In plants usable as energy sources, antagonistic effects were observed, as the simultaneous presence of Cu and Cd resulted in lower thermic capacity. Finally, in most of the plants studied, it was observed that the phytostabilization technique, i.e., the accumulation of metals mainly in the roots of the plants, was often used, allowing for the aboveground part to be almost completely free of metallic pollutants. Using plants for remediation was proven to be advantageous within a circular economy model. Such a process is a promising solution, both economically and environmentally, since it provides a useful tool for keeping environmental balance and producing safe goods. Full article

One of the key challenges in environmental protection is the reclamation of soils degraded by organic pollutants. Effective revitalization of such soils can contribute to improving the climate and the quality of feed and food, mainly by eliminating harmful substances from the food chain and by cultivating plants for energy purposes. To this end, research was carried out using two sorbents, vermiculite and agrobasalt, to detoxify soils contaminated with diesel oil and unleaded gasoline, using maize as an energy crop. The research was carried out in a pot experiment. The level of soil contamination with petroleum products was set at 8 cm³ and 16 cm³ kg⁻¹ d.m. of soil, and the dose of the revitalizing substances, i.e., vermiculite and agrobasalt, was set at 10 g kg⁻¹ of soil. Their effect was compared with uncontaminated soil and soil without sorbents. The obtained research results prove that both diesel oil and gasoline disrupt the growth and development of Zea mays. Diesel oil destabilized plant development more than gasoline. Both products distorted the activity of soil oxidoreductases and hydrolases, with diesel oil stimulating and gasoline inhibiting. The applied sorbents proved to be useful in the soil revitalization process, as they reduced the negative effects of pollutants on Zea mays, increased the activity of soil enzymes, enhanced the value of the biochemical soil quality indicator (BA), and improved the cation exchange capacity (CEC), the sum of exchangeable base cations (EBC), pH, and the C_org content. Agrobasalt demonstrated a greater potential for improving soil physicochemical properties, inducing an average increase in CEC and EBC values of 12% and 23%, respectively, in soil under G pressure, and by 16% and 25% in DO-contaminated soil. Full article

(1) The excessive and incorrect use of agricultural pesticides has caused environmental pollution, with a final destination in aquatic environments. Among the widely used agricultural pesticides, glyphosate stands out for weed control, which according to the World Health Organization (WHO) is potentially carcinogenic in humans. Once in an aquatic environment, decontamination aimed at removing the pesticide is not always a simple task. In this sense, it is necessary to develop low-cost, sustainable procedures with a high remediation capacity. (2) In this context, a nanocellulose-based biopolymer was developed to removal glyphosate from aquatic environments. Nanocellulose was obtained from a cellulose sample from eucalyptus wood and was characterized by scanning and double-beam electron microscopy, scanning microscopy with an energy dispersive detector and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Adsorption studies were carried out to evaluate the retention of glyphosate by nanocellulose. (3) Nanocellulose showed a value of 4.7 mg of glyphosate per gram of nanocellulose, and organomodified nanocellulose showed the removal of 6.1 mg of glyphosate per gram of nanocellulose, as evaluated in pseudo-first-order kinetic models. (4) The biomaterial has a sustainable and renewable origin, has potential for contaminant removal and can be applied to contaminated aquatic systems. Full article

The global increase in antibiotics consumption has caused hazardous concentrations of these antimicrobials to be present in soils, mainly due to the spreading of sewage sludge (or manure or slurry) and wastewater, and they could enter the food chain, posing serious risks to the environment and human health. One of these substances of concern is cefuroxime (CFX). To face antibiotics-related environmental pollution, adsorption is one of the most widely used techniques, with cost-effective and environmentally friendly byproducts being of clear interest to retain pollutants and increase the adsorption capacity of soils. In light of this, in this work, three low-cost bioadsorbents (pine bark, oak ash, and mussel shell) were added to different soil samples (at doses of 12 and 48 t/ha) to study their effects on the adsorption of CFX. Specifically, batch experiments were carried out for mixtures of soils and bioadsorbents, adding a range of different antibiotic concentrations at a fixed ionic strength. The results showed that the addition of pine bark (with pH = 3.99) increased the adsorption to 100% in most cases, while oak ash (pH = 11.31) and mussel shell (pH = 9.39) caused a clearly lower increase in adsorption (which, in some cases, even decreased). The Freundlich and linear models showed rather good adjustment to the experimental data when the bioadsorbents were added at both doses, while the Langmuir model showed error values which were too high in many cases. Regarding desorption, it was lower than 6% for the soils without bioadsorbents, and there was no desorption when the soils received bioadsorbent amendments. These results show that the addition of appropriate low-cost bioadsorbents to soils can be effective for adsorbing CFX, helping in the prevention of environmental pollution due to this emerging contaminant, which is a result of clear relevance to environmental and human health. Full article