Search Results (63)

Antibiotic resistance has been recognized as a global threat to human health. Therefore, it is urgent to develop effective strategies to address the contamination of water environments caused by antibiotics. In this study, Fe/Mn bimetallic-modified biochar (FMBC) was synthesized through a one-pot oxidation/reduction-hydrothermal co-precipitation method, demonstrating an exceptional photocatalytic-Fenton degradation performance for oxytetracycline (OTC). Characterization techniques including FTIR, SEM, XRD, VSM, and N₂ adsorption–desorption analysis confirmed that the Fe/Mn bimetals were successfully loaded onto the surface of biochar in the form of Fe₃O₄ and MnFe₂O₄ mixed crystals and exhibited favorable paramagnetic properties that facilitate magnetic recovery. A key innovation is the utilization of biochar’s inherent phenol/quinone structures as reactive sites and electron transfer mediators, which synergistically interact with the loaded bimetallic oxides to significantly enhance the generation of highly reactive ·OH radicals, thereby boosting catalytic activity. Even after five recycling cycles, the material exhibited minimal changes in degradation efficiency and bimetallic crystal structure, indicating its notable stability and reusability. The photocatalytic degradation experiment conducted in a Fenton-like reaction system demonstrates that, under the conditions of pH 4.0, a H₂O₂ concentration of 5.16 mmol/L, a catalyst dosage of 0.20 g/L, and an OTC concentration of 100 mg/L, the optimal degradation efficiency of 98.3% can be achieved. Additionally, the pseudo-first-order kinetic rate constant was determined to be 4.88 min⁻¹. Furthermore, this study elucidated the detailed degradation mechanisms, pathways, and the influence of various ions, providing valuable theoretical insights and technical support for the degradation of antibiotics in real wastewater. Full article

Background/Objectives: Thrombotic diseases (TDs), currently the number one killer worldwide, account for the highest mortality rate globally. In this study, we evaluated the antithrombotic efficacy of Velefibrinase, a marine bacteria-derived fibrinolytic enzyme, across multiple animal models. Results: The results demonstrated that Velefibrinase prolonged bleeding time (BT) and clotting time (CT), reduced mortality and thrombosis, relieved pulmonary alveolar structure degeneration in an acute pulmonary thromboembolism model, and inhibited carotid artery thrombosis and endothelial tissue damage in a rat model of FeCl₃-induced carotid arterial thrombosis. Moreover, Velefibrinase reduced cerebral ischemia volume and ameliorated neurological deficits in a cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury model in rats. The putative underlying mechanisms were found to involve the inhibition of platelet aggregation and coagulation, along with the modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation levels. Conclusions: These results revealed that Velefibrinase exerts a notable thrombosis-preventive effect by interacting with multiple targets, thereby breaking the vicious cycle involving inflammation, oxidative stress, and thrombosis. Full article

Modern society relies heavily on energy, driving global research into sustainable energy storage and conversion technologies. Concurrently, the increasing volume of waste generated by industrial and commercial activities emphasizes the need for effective waste management strategies. Carbonization emerges as a promising solution, converting waste into energy and valuable end products such as biochar. This study explores an approach for valorizing bone-based food waste, presenting innovative pathways for managing the escalating issue of food waste. We investigate carbon derived from cattle bone waste, carbonized at 800 °C (CBW8), to design sustainable full-cell lithium-ion batteries (FLIBs). FLIBs featuring CBW8 as the anode material and LiFePO₄ as the cathode exhibit exceptional cycling life, even at high current rates. The cell demonstrates a high specific capacity of 165 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.5 C, maintaining stable performance over 1800 cycles at various C-rates. This work not only advances the field of sustainable energy and waste management, but also opens new avenues for eco-friendly technological applications. Full article

Bamboo is known as the “world’s second largest forest”. The bamboo industry has become a globally recognized green industry, and the research and development of bamboo-based products have huge economic, ecological, and cultural values. In this study, a biosorbent with magnetically sensitive properties was developed based on natural bamboo powders (BPs) for the removal of methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous solution. The selected BPs with 60 mesh were magnetized by loading Fe₃O₄ using an in situ co-precipitation process. The adsorption–desorption equilibrium was nearly established after 30 min, achieving a removal efficiency of 97.7% for 5.0 g/L BPs/Fe₃O₄ in a 20 mg/L MB solution. The removal efficiency of MB by 5.0 g/L BPs/Fe₃O₄ exhibited a remarkable enhancement, escalating from 33.9% at pH = 5 to an impressive 93.9% at pH = 11 in a 50 mg/L MB solution. The linear fitting method demonstrated greater suitability for characterizing the adsorption process compared to the nonlinear fitting method, which encompassed both adsorption isotherms and kinetics studies. Among these approaches, the adsorption isotherms were well-fitted to the Langmuir model, while the kinetics were accurately represented by the pseudo-second-order model. The removal efficiency by the recycled BPs/Fe₃O₄ adsorbent remained at 97.3% over five consecutive cycles, proving that BPs/Fe₃O₄ has a high potential for being used as a highly efficient biosorbent. Moreover, the BPs/Fe₃O₄ biosorbent had superparamagnetism with strong magnetic sensitivity, which could facilitate the sustainable removal of hazardous dye from the aqueous solution in practical applications. Full article

Iron (Fe) deficiency is a pervasive agricultural concern on a global scale. Intercropping plays a pivotal role in activating soil nutrient cycling and crop nutrient uptake and utilization. This study integrates plant physiology, soil physicochemical determination, high-throughput sequencing, and metabolomics techniques to conduct pot experiments using field-collected soils with soybean and maize plants. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms through which microorganisms in a soybean–maize intercropping system regulate Fe deficiency adaptation. The results revealed that intercropping enhances the resilience of soybean and maize in Fe-deficient environments, facilitates nutrient absorption by plants, and enriches soil nutrient content. Moreover, intercropping fostered more intricate microbial interactions in comparison to monocropping. The dominant microorganisms in the rhizosphere of intercropped soybean and maize included genera Microbacterium, Sphingomonas, Shinella, and Rhizobium. Microbacterium, Sphingomonas, Shinella, and Rhizobium have the potential to produce Fe chelators or enhance plant Fe absorption. Additionally, intercropping notably modified the composition of root exudates derived from soybean and maize. The soybean and maize rhizosphere exhibited significant enrichment with oleamide, coumestrol, glycitein, and daidzein. Coumestrol may have an effect of promoting Fe absorption, and it is significantly positively correlated with the genus Nakamurella in the maize rhizosphere and the genus Pirellula in the soybean rhizosphere. Consequently, these findings suggested that the rhizosphere of intercropped soybean and maize significantly enriches specific microbial communities and root exudates, thereby enhancing microecosystem stability and improving plant tolerance to Fe deficiency. Full article

With global warming, understanding the effect of elevated temperature on the decomposition of Chinese fir needle litter has significant implications for nutrient cycling, yield, and management of economically important Chinese fir plantations. We conducted simulated warming decomposition experiments in incubators at 25 °C, 30 °C, and 35 °C on Chinese fir needle litter from middle-aged, mature, and overmature stands. Changes in litter mass and concentrations of some metallic elements and recalcitrant components were measured in litter sampled at different decomposition time-steps up to 264 days (d). Warming to 35 °C significantly increased the mass loss rate of needle litter from overmature stands throughout the experiment (except at 72 d). The effect of warming on litter mass loss rate for middle-aged and mature stands was lower and is attributed to higher litter quality in these stands. Compared to 25 °C, warming to 30 °C and 35 °C increased the needle litter decomposition rate across all developmental stages by 17.3% and 48.3%, respectively. Potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) were mostly released during needle litter decomposition in all Chinese fir developmental stages. Lignin, condensed tannins, total phenols, and cellulose were enriched in needle litter, while the release of hemicellulose from near the start of the decomposition experiment was attributed to its lower molecular weight compared with other carbohydrates in litter. Compared with 25 °C, warming to 35 °C increased the release rates from litter of K, Ca, and Mg by 14.7%, 24.6%, and 21.5%, and the release rates of lignin, total phenols, cellulose, and hemicellulose by 7.5%, 8.8%, 10.4%, and 13.7%. Needle litter iron (Fe), aluminum (Al), and sodium (Na) in different development stages and manganese (Mn) in the overmature stands were mostly enriched during the experiment. Warming significantly promoted the enrichment of Fe, Al (except for mature stands), and Na, and reduced the enrichment of Mn. In summary, the sensitivity of needle litter to temperature in overmature stands is higher than that in middle-aged and mature stands, suggesting that forest managers can extend the rotation length of Chinese fir plantations to increase the yield of large-diameter timber, litter decomposition, and ecosystem nutrient return. Full article

Water contamination has become a global concern, and the prevalence of complex substances known as emerging contaminants constitute a risk to human health and the environment. This work focused on an innovative approach of integrating sonolysis and photocatalysis to remove a standard textile dye efficiently. A highly photo-active, bismuth ferrite (BiFeO₃) nanocatalyst with single particle sizes between 86 and 265 nm was obtained by a novel one-pot combustion method using a deep eutectic solvent as a precursor. The said catalyst was thoroughly characterized and evaluated for photocatalytic and sono-photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB). Photocatalytic experiments were conducted under visible light irradiation (450–600 nm). Sono-photocatalytic (SPC) experiments were conducted, focusing on the influence of operational parameters (frequency, power, and pH) on the degradation performance. High-frequency values of 578, 866, and 1138 kHz were explored to promote cavitation dynamics and reactive species generation, improving removal efficiency. Results demonstrated that when sonolysis and photocatalysis were performed separately, the degradation efficiency ranged between 85 and 87%. Remarkably, when the combined SPC degradation was carried out, the RhB removal reached about 99.9% after 70 min. It is discussed that this behavior is due to the increased generation of OH^• radicals as a product of the cavitation phenomena related to the ultrasound-assisted process. Moreover, it is argued that SPC significantly improves reaction kinetics and mass transfer rates, facilitating catalyst dispersion and contact with the RhB molecules. Finally, the stability of the catalyst was evaluated in five repeated RhB removal cycles, where the activity remained consistently strong. Full article

Iron, Earth’s most abundant redox-active metal, undergoes both abiotic and microbial redox reactions that regulate the formation, transformation, and dissolution of iron minerals. The electron transfer between ferrous iron (Fe(II)) and ferric iron (Fe(III)) is critical for mineral dynamics, pollutant remediation, and global biogeochemical cycling. Bacteria play a significant role, especially in anaerobic Fe(II) oxidation, contributing to Fe(III) mineral formation in oxygen-depleted environments. In iron-rich, neutral anaerobic settings, microbial nitrate-reducing Fe(II) oxidation (NRFO) and iron reduction processes happen simultaneously. This study used Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 to create an anaerobic NRFO system between Fe(II) and nitrate, revealing concurrent Fe(II) oxidation and nitrate reduction. Both gene-mediated biological Fe(II) oxidation and chemical Fe(II) oxidation, facilitated by nitrite (a byproduct of nitrate reduction), were observed. The MtrABC gene cluster was linked to this process. At low Fe(II) concentrations, toxicity and mineral precipitation inhibited nitrate reduction by Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, whereas high Fe(II) levels led to Fe(II) oxidation, resulting in cell encrustation, which further constrained nitrate reduction. Full article

Under the global dual-carbon background, heightened public awareness of climate change and strengthened carbon taxation policies are increasing pressure on the steel industry to transition. Given the urgent need for carbon reduction, the exploration of low-carbon pathways in a blast furnace (BF) metallurgy emerges as crucial. Evaluating both asset retention and technological maturity, the development of low-carbon technologies for BFs represents the most direct and effective technical approach. This article introduces global advancements in low-carbon metallurgical technologies for BFs, showcasing international progress encompassing hydrogen enrichment, oxygen enrichment, carbon cycling technologies, biomass utilization, and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. Hydrogen enrichment is identified as the primary technological upgrade currently, although its carbon emission reduction potential is limited to 10% to 30%, insufficient to fundamentally address high carbon emissions from BFs. Therefore, this article innovatively proposes a comprehensive low-carbon metallurgical process concept with the substitution of carbon-neutral biomass fuels at the source stage—intensification of hydrogen enrichment in the process stage—fixation of CCUS at the end stage (SS-IP-FE). This process integrates the cleanliness of biomass, the high-efficiency of hydrogen enrichment, and the thoroughness of carbon fixation through CCUS, synergistically enhancing overall effectiveness. This integrated strategy holds promise for achieving a 50% reduction in carbon emissions from BFs in the long processes. Critical elements of these core technologies are analyzed, assessing their cost-effectiveness and emission reduction potential, underscoring comprehensive low-carbon metallurgy as a pivotal direction for future steel industry development with high technological feasibility and emission reduction efficacy. The article also proposes a series of targeted recommendations, suggesting short-term focus on technological optimization, the medium-term enhancement of technology research and application, and the long-term establishment of a comprehensive low-carbon metallurgical system. Full article

The growing adoption of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy systems has intensified the need for sustainable management at the end of their life cycle. This study introduces an innovative method for recycling lithium from spent LiFePO₄ batteries and repurposing the recovered lithium carbonate (Li₂CO₃) as a carbon dioxide (CO₂) absorber. The recycling process involves dismantling battery packs, separating active materials, and chemically treating the cathode to extract lithium ions, which produces Li₂CO₃. The efficiency of lithium recovery is influenced by factors such as leaching temperature, acid concentration, and reaction time. Once recovered, Li₂CO₃ can be utilized for CO₂ capture in hydrogen purification processes, reacting with CO₂ to form lithium bicarbonate (LiHCO₃). This reaction, which is highly effective in aqueous solutions, can be applied in industrial settings to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The LiHCO₃ can then be thermally decomposed to regenerate Li₂CO₃, creating a cyclic and sustainable use of the material. This dual-purpose process not only addresses the environmental impact of LiFePO₄ battery disposal but also contributes to CO₂ reduction, aligning with global climate goals. Utilizing recycled Li₂CO₃ decreases the demand for virgin lithium extraction, supporting a circular economy. Furthermore, integrating Li₂CO₃-based CO₂ capture systems into existing industrial infrastructure provides a scalable and cost-effective solution for lowering carbon footprints while securing a continuous supply of lithium for future battery production. Future research should focus on optimizing lithium recovery methods, improving the efficiency of CO₂ capture, and exploring synergies with other waste management and carbon capture technologies. This comprehensive strategy underscores the potential of lithium recycling to address both resource conservation and environmental protection challenges. Full article

Against the backdrop of the increasing copper demand in a low-carbon economy, this work statistically forecasted the distribution of China’s copper tailings for the first time, and then characterized them as finely crushed and low-grade mining solid wastes containing copper mainly in the form of chalcopyrite, bornite, covelline, enargite and chalcocite based on available research data. China is the globally leading refined copper producer and consumer, where the typical commercial-scale bioleaching of copper tailings is conducted in the Dexing, Zijinshan and Jinchuan mining regions. And these leaching processes were compared in this study. Widely used chemolithoautotrophic and mesophilic bacteria are Acidithiobacillus, Leptospirillum, Acidiphilium, Alicyclobacillus and Thiobacillus with varied metal resistance. They can be used to treat copper sulfide tailings such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, enargite, chalcocite, bornite and covellite under sufficient dissolved oxygen from 1.5 to 4.1 mg/L and pH values ranging from 0.5 to 7.2. Moderate thermophiles (Acidithiobacillus caldus, Acidimicrobium, Acidiplasma, Ferroplasma and Sulfobacillus) and extreme thermophilic archaea (Acidianus, Metallosphaera, Sulfurococcus and Sulfolobus) are dominant in leaching systems with operating temperatures higher than 40 °C. However, these species are vulnerable to high pulp density and heavy metals. Heterotrophic Acidiphilium multivorum, Ferrimicrobium, Thermoplasma and fungi use organic carbon as energy to treat copper oxides (malachite, chrysocolla and azurite) and weathered sulfides (bornite, chalcocite, digenite and covellite) under a wide pH range and high pulp density. We also compared autotrophs in a planktonic state or biofilm to treat different metal sulfides using various sulfur-cycling enzymes involved in the polysulfide or thiosulfate pathways against fungi that produce various organic acids to chelate copper from oxides. Finally, we recommended a bioinformatic analysis of functional genes involved in Fe/S oxidization and C/N metabolism, as well as advanced representation that can create new possibilities for the development of high-efficiency leaching microorganisms and insight into the mechanisms of bioleaching desired metals from complex and low-grade copper tailings. Full article

Transfer factors (TFs) are widely used tools for assessing the uptake of radionuclides by plants. The literature contains numerous studies on TFs in tropical and temperate climates; however, the existing data on TFs in arid and semi-arid climates are very scarce. Furthermore, the current trend in nuclear energy expansion in countries with this type of climate necessitates knowledge of the mechanisms of radionuclide incorporation by plants as well as the TF values. For this reason, this work investigates the TFs of ²³⁸U and ²²⁶Ra in plants in a study area during the summer period under conditions equivalent to a semi-arid climate. The selected plants were Scolymus hispanicus L., Eryngium campestre L., Chenopodium vulvaria L., and Chenopodium album L., which were collected in the vicinity of a waste dump from an abandoned copper mine. The selected study area has radionuclide levels above the global average, in addition to heavy metals, as it is a waste dump from an abandoned copper mine. The range of transfer factors for ²³⁸U varied between 1.5 × 10⁻⁴ kg⁻¹ kg⁻¹ and 7.8 × 10⁻³ kg⁻¹ kg⁻¹, while for ²²⁶Ra, the range was between 1.8 × 10⁻⁴ kg⁻¹ kg⁻¹ and 4.0 × 10⁻² kg⁻¹ kg⁻¹. The correlations found with PCA were (i) ²³⁸U with Fe and Al, and (ii) ²²⁶Ra with S, Ti, Ca, and Sr. A transfer model of ²³⁸U and ²²⁶Ra was created using multiple linear regression analysis. The model showed how ²³⁸U was related to the presence of Al, while ²²⁶Ra was related to Al, Fe, and Ti. The results obtained have allowed us to propose a model for the incorporation of ²³⁸U and ²²⁶Ra, taking into account the chemical composition of the soil. The results obtained indicate that both Scolymus hispanicus L. and Eryngium campestre L. could be utilized in phytoremediation for soils contaminated by natural radionuclides in semi-arid climates. The TFs, as well as the proposed model, allow us to expand the knowledge of the absorption of natural radionuclides by plants in regions with arid and semi-arid climates, which is necessary for the radiological risk assessment of future nuclear fuel cycle facilities. Full article

Purpose: This study employed a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to evaluate the environmental impacts of a novel plant cell-based biomanufacturing process for producing plant natural product ingredients. The primary purpose was to assess the relative sustainability of the process and to provide insights into potential areas of improvement in the biomanufacturing process. Method: The LCA method used an MS Excel (Ver. 2407) -based approach with a cradle-to-gate system boundary covering raw material sourcing (A1), raw material transportation (A2), and product extract manufacturing (A3) stages. Energy use and material inventory data are presented for different unit operations, and environmental impact factors were obtained from the Ecoinvent database. The study included a Material Circularity Index (MCI) calculation to assess the circularity of the biomanufacturing process for the production of saponin emulsifiers that are normally extracted from the woody tissue of the Chilean soapbark tree (Quillaja saponaria). Comparative analyses were performed against a wild-harvest approach for plant tannin extraction from spruce (Picea abies) tree bark. Key Results: The environmental impact assessment focused on determining relative Global Warming Potential (GWP), Acidification Potential (AP), Freshwater Eutrophication (FE), Particulate Matter Formation (PMF), and Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP). Results indicated that the extract manufacturing stage (A3) contributed significantly to adverse environmental impacts, with varying levels of effects based on the energy source used. Comparative analysis with the wild harvest approach highlights the lower environmental impact of the alternative biomanufacturing process. The biomanufacturing process showed a 23% reduction in GWP, AP, and FE and a 25% reduction in PMF and ODP relative to the wild harvest approach. However, the MCI for the biomanufacturing process was estimated to be 0.186, indicating a low material circularity. Conclusions: The results revealed that the extract manufacturing stage, particularly energy consumption, significantly influences the relative environmental impacts of the alternative production processes. Different energy sources exhibit varying effects, with renewable energy sources showing lower environmental impacts. The Material Circularity Index indicated a low circularity for the biomanufacturing process, suggesting opportunities for improvement, such as incorporating recycled or reused materials. Compared with the tannin extraction process, the plant cell-based biomanufacturing process demonstrated lower environmental impacts, emphasising the importance of sustainable practices and the use of renewable energy sources in future plant natural product sourcing. Recommendations include implementing more sustainable practices, optimising raw material choices, and extending product life spans to enhance circularity and overall environmental benefits. Full article

The rhizosphere is the hotspot for microbial enzyme activities and contributes to carbon cycling. Precipitation is an important component of global climate change that can profoundly alter belowground microbial communities. However, the impact of precipitation on conifer rhizospheric microbial populations has not been investigated in detail. In the present study, using high-throughput amplicon sequencing, we investigated the impact of precipitation on the rhizospheric soil microbial communities in two Norway Spruce clonal seed orchards, Lipová Lhota (L-site) and Prenet (P-site). P-site has received nearly double the precipitation than L-site for the last three decades. P-site documented higher soil water content with a significantly higher abundance of Aluminium (Al), Iron (Fe), Phosphorous (P), and Sulphur (S) than L-site. Rhizospheric soil metabolite profiling revealed an increased abundance of acids, carbohydrates, fatty acids, and alcohols in P-site. There was variance in the relative abundance of distinct microbiomes between the sites. A higher abundance of Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, Ascomycota, and Mortiellomycota was observed in P-site receiving high precipitation, while Bacteroidota, Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadota, and Basidiomycota were prevalent in L-site. The higher clustering coefficient of the microbial network in P-site suggested that the microbial community structure is highly interconnected and tends to cluster closely. The current study unveils the impact of precipitation variations on the spruce rhizospheric microbial association and opens new avenues for understanding the impact of global change on conifer rizospheric microbial associations. Full article

Iron (Fe) deficiency is one of the most common micronutrient imbalances limiting plant growth globally, especially in arid and saline alkali regions due to the decreased availability of Fe in alkaline soils. Malus halliana grows well in arid regions and is tolerant of Fe deficiency. Here, a physiological and metabolomic approach was used to analyze the short-term molecular response of M. halliana roots to Fe deficiency. On the one hand, physiological data show that the root activity first increased and then decreased with the prolongation of the stress time, but the change trend of root pH was just the opposite. The total Fe content decreased gradually, while the effective Fe decreased at 12 h and increased at 3 d. The activity of iron reductase (FCR) increased with the prolongation of stress. On the other hand, a total of 61, 73, and 45 metabolites were identified by GC–MS in three pairs: R12h (Fe deficiency 12 h) vs. R0h (Fe deficiency 0 h), R3d (Fe deficiency 3 d) vs. R0h, and R3d vs. R12h, respectively. Sucrose, as a source of energy, produces monosaccharides such as glucose by hydrolysis, while glucose accumulates significantly at the first (R12h vs. R0h) and third time points (R3d vs. R0h). Carbohydrates (digalacturonate, L-xylitol, ribitol, D-xylulose, glucose, and glycerol) are degraded into pyruvate through glycolysis and pentose phosphate, which participate in the TCA. Glutathione metabolism and the TCA cycle coordinate with each other, actively respond to Fe deficiency stress, and synthesize secondary metabolites at the same time. This study thoroughly examines the metabolite response to plant iron deficiency, highlighting the crucial roles of sugar metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle regulation, and glutathione metabolism in the short-term iron deficiency response of apples. It also lays the groundwork for future research on analyzing iron deficiency tolerance. Full article