Search Results (2,278)

Abiotic stresses increasingly threaten crop productivity, whereas reliance on chemical and resource-intensive interventions can compromise environmental sustainability. Existing literature identifies Trichoderma spp. as multifunctional biocontrol agents, biofertilizers, and microbial biostimulants capable of influencing plant growth, stress signaling, and rhizosphere processes; however, evidence remains fragmented across strains, crops, formulations, and stress conditions. This review aimed to integrate current knowledge on Trichoderma-mediated resilience to salinity, drought, heavy metals, temperature extremes, and emerging pollutants, while distinguishing experimentally validated mechanisms from statistical associations and conceptual inference. It evaluates constraints governing reproducibility from controlled studies to field deployment. The synthesis shows that selected crop–strain systems improve root architecture, photosynthesis, antioxidant regulation, osmotic adjustment, nutrient acquisition, ion homeostasis, hormonal balance, and stress-responsive gene expression. Benefits arise through coordinated delivery, root colonization, metabolite and protein signaling, physiological reprogramming, and rhizosphere modulation. Nevertheless, microbiome co-occurrence patterns do not establish causal network repair, evidence for broad heat and cold protection remains limited, and biochar co-application should not be interpreted as a carrier formulation without direct validation. Future progress requires strain- and crop-specific screening, mechanistic gene and protein studies, standardized formulations, combined-stress experiments, multi-location field trials, biosafety evaluation, and farmer-level economic assessment to develop reliable precision microbial technologies. Full article

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) constitute a significant global health burden; however, the influence of environmental heavy metals toxicity on their pathogenesis remains insufficiently investigated, particularly within low- and middle-income countries. This systematic review, conducted in strict accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines, assesses the impact of heavy metals exposure on the development, progression, and wound-healing kinetics of DFUs. A comprehensive search across PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science identified 32 eligible original studies. Quality appraisal was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and SYRCLE’s Risk of Bias tool. Synthesized epidemiological and toxicological data consistently indicate that chronic exposure to non-essential heavy metals, specifically cadmium and lead, significantly augments DFU prevalence and clinical severity, demonstrating a 64% increase in DFU prevalence for each 1 µg/L increase in blood cadmium concentration. Mechanistically, these xenobiotics induce a ‘chronic inflammatory lock’ characterized by severe oxidative stress, sustained NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and the suppression of protective Metallothionein 2A (MT2A) pathways, thereby impeding microvascular angiogenesis. Conversely, deficiencies in essential trace elements, such as zinc and selenium, actively impair extracellular matrix maintenance. Advanced therapeutic interventions, including metal-ion-releasing hydrogels, cell-free exosome therapies, and systemic EDTA chelation, demonstrate significant potential to counteract heavy-metal-induced cellular suppression and facilitate tissue repair. This review underscores the imperative of integrating environmental toxicant screening and targeted detoxification strategies into standard multidisciplinary diabetic foot management. Full article

The increasing prevalence of heavy metal contamination in aqueous environments poses severe risks to both human health and the ecosystem. To address this environmental concern, this study focused on the utilization of a nature-based silver clay nanocomposite (NAgC) for the removal of cadmium (Cd(II)) and chromium (Cr(VI)) ions from aqueous media. The NAgC was synthesized through the reduction of silver ions in a clay matrix by employing the leaf of Manihot esculenta extract as the reducing agent. The NAgC was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) surface area as well as energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The adsorption behavior of the NAgC in batch experiments under varying pH, contact time, initial concentration, and adsorbent dosage were investigated for the removal of cadmium and chromium from aqueous media. The optimum adsorption of cadmium ions was 157.87 mg/g, achieved at an initial concentration of 20 mg/L at 1 g dosage at pH 7 for 60 min, while that of chromium was 137.91 mg/g at a metal concentration of 20 mg/L at 1 g dosage at pH 7 for 60 min. The Freundlich isotherm model adequately explained the adsorption data of both Cd(II) and Cr(VI). However, the pseudo-first order (PFO) adequately interpreted the kinetic data for both Cd(II) and Cr(VI). Full article

Given the widespread contamination of water bodies by diverse pollutants, particularly heavy metal ions and organic dyes, there is an urgent need to develop efficient and sustainable biomass adsorbents. Lignin is rich in active groups such as phenolic hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, making it a natural adsorbent. However, its application is still hindered by limitations, including restricted solubility and low reactivity. Converting lignin into three-dimensional porous hydrogels not only overcomes the inherent structural brittleness of lignin-based materials but also accelerates the diffusion kinetics of pollutants through well-developed pore structures, thereby fully exposing the active adsorption sites. This paper systematically reviews the latest progress in lignin-based hydrogels for water treatment and discusses in depth the underlying logic of “structure construction–micromorphology–adsorption performance.” First, this review summarizes synthesis strategies ranging from molecular-level modification to morphology regulation, including nano-reinforcement, magnetic functionalization, and interpenetrating polymer networks. It then provides a pollutant-specific analysis of the adsorption mechanisms of lignin-based adsorbents. For heavy metal ions, such as Pb²⁺ and Cr(VI), removal is mainly associated with coordination/complexation, ion exchange, and redox reactions. For typical organic dyes, adsorption is primarily driven by π–π interactions, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic attraction. The effects of environmental factors, such as pH, are also systematically discussed. Finally, considering current challenges related to mechanical strength, regeneration performance, and practical application, this review outlines future research directions for the development of multifunctional, integrated, and stimuli-responsive lignin-based adsorbents. Full article

Natural, synthetic, and modified zeolites are widely recognized as versatile materials for environmental remediation due to their high capacity for cation-exchange, adjustable pore structure, and strong chemical stability. These properties enable their effective application in removing diverse contaminants, including heavy metals, ammonium ions, dyes, and various organic pollutants, making them highly relevant in water, wastewater, and soil treatment systems. However, although research in this field has expanded considerably, the overall global development patterns and knowledge structure of zeolite-related studies have not been thoroughly quantified. This study conducts a bibliometric assessment of global research on zeolite applications in water, wastewater, and soil remediation covering the period from 2010 to 2024, using a dataset of 203 peer-reviewed Scopus-indexed publications. The analysis was carried out using VOSviewer to examine publication trends, leading authors, productive countries and institutions, as well as thematic clusters and emerging research directions. The findings indicate a consistent increase in scientific output over the study period, with China, India, Malaysia, and the United States emerging as the most influential contributors in terms of both publication volume and citation impact. Key journals publishing in this area include the Journal of Hazardous Materials, Chemosphere, and Science of the Total Environment. Keyword co-occurrence mapping reveals dominant research themes such as adsorption processes, ion exchange mechanisms, heavy metal remediation, nanostructured materials, and advanced oxidation technologies, highlighting a clear shift toward integrated and hybrid remediation approaches. Overall, the results emphasize the growing significance of modified and composite zeolite materials in enhancing pollutant removal efficiency and supporting sustainable environmental management. This bibliometric evaluation provides a structured overview of the research landscape and offers insights into future directions for zeolite-based remediation technologies. Full article

Ion-type rare earth tailings are mechanically weak and may release Pb and Zn, posing both geotechnical and environmental risks. Basalt-fiber-reinforced microbially induced carbonate precipitation (BF-MICP) was investigated as a combined solidification/stabilization treatment for these tailings. By integrating peak and post-peak mechanical responses, heavy-metal leaching, the spatial distribution of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃), and microstructural characterization, this study distinguishes the respective contributions of microbial mineralization and fiber reinforcement. Tailings specimens were treated with basalt fiber contents ranging from 0 to 0.8% and evaluated using unconfined compression tests, leaching tests, CaCO₃ measurements, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The unconfined compressive strength first increased and then decreased with increasing fiber content, reaching 1.72 MPa at 0.4% fiber, approximately 90% higher than that of the MICP-only group. At the same fiber content, compressive total energy absorption increased from approximately 18 to 68 kJ·m⁻³, indicating a marked improvement in post-peak toughness. BF-MICP treatment increased the CaCO₃ content to approximately 2–3 times that of untreated tailings, although the deposits remained more abundant in the outer region than in the core, and the total CaCO₃ content varied little with fiber dosage. The leached concentrations of Pb and Zn decreased by 79–81% and 81–84%, respectively, with no clear additional reduction as the fiber dosage increased. Microstructural analyses showed that calcite-dominated deposits connected tailing particles and fiber surfaces. These results indicate that MICP primarily governed mineral cementation and heavy-metal immobilization, whereas basalt fibers mainly improved load transfer, crack bridging, and post-peak structural integrity. A fiber content of 0.3–0.4% provided the best overall balance between mechanical performance and leaching control. Full article

Pesticide and veterinary drug residues, heavy metals and other hazardous contaminants in agricultural products and food systems pose severe threats to food safety and agro-ecological security. Conventional detection techniques are plagued by complicated operations, long testing cycles and insufficient sensitivity, which fail to meet the practical requirements for rapid, accurate on-site detection and in situ remediation. This paper systematically introduces the fundamental physicochemical properties of typical carbon-based nanomaterials, including graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon quantum dots and biomass-derived carbon. It comprehensively reviews the latest research advances of these materials in the detection of heavy metal ions, pesticide residues, mycotoxins and illegal additives, as well as in the non-destructive monitoring of food quality. Meanwhile, relevant applications of carbon-based nanomaterials in the adsorption, enrichment and catalytic remediation of heavy metals and organic pollutants in farmland soil and water environments are summarized. The intrinsic mechanisms underlying their performance in high-precision detection and environmental remediation are elaborated from the perspectives of optical sensing response and adsorption–separation effects. Furthermore, the current technical limitations and bottlenecks restricting the practical application of carbon-based nanomaterials are discussed. Combined with the industrial demands for rapid screening of agro-food safety risks and in situ treatment of farmland environments, the future development prospects of carbon-based nanomaterials in agriculture and food safety fields are outlined. This work aims to provide theoretical references for the development and industrialization of high-performance carbon-based sensing and remediation materials, and to facilitate the risk prevention and control of agro-food safety as well as the green and sustainable development of agricultural ecosystems. Full article

The efficient removal of toxic heavy metals from wastewater remains a critical environmental challenge. Faujasite (FAU) zeolite is highly effective for this purpose due to its high surface area, microporous structure, and exceptional ion exchange capacity. This study employs density functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate the thermodynamics and geometry of ${\mathrm{Cd}}^{2+}$ capture by two distinct processes: (i) ion exchange and (ii) ${\mathrm{CaCO}}_3$/FAU adsorption. We systematically identify preferential binding sites and calculate binding energies for ${\mathrm{Cd}}^{2+}$ within the FAU framework. As a key result, the current theoretical modeling confirms previous experimental observations that dispersed ${\mathrm{CaCO}}_3$ units on the surface of faujasite enhance ${\mathrm{Cd}}^{2+}$ adsorption compared to aggregated units. The computed binding energies for the dispersed configuration range from −54 kcal/mol to −60 kcal/mol, depending on the number of ${\mathrm{CaCO}}_3$ units. These findings provide a fundamental theoretical perspective and represent a first step toward understanding ${\mathrm{Cd}}^{2+}$ removal by modified zeolites. Full article

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a highly toxic, non-biodegradable, and carcinogenic heavy metal. Its continuous release into aquatic ecosystems demands efficient, low-cost adsorbents. In this study, orange peel and peanut shell residues were thermally modified at 250 °C to enhance Cr(VI) remediation. Structural characterization confirmed that low-temperature calcination transforms raw agroindustrial wastes into functional biochars with a chemical architecture primed for cooperative Cr(VI) removal. N₂ physisorption revealed a hierarchical mesoporous network with average pore diameters of 30.6 nm (calcined orange peel) and 15.4 nm (calcined peanut shell), despite low specific surface areas. Batch adsorption experiments demonstrated that removal kinetics reached equilibrium within 5 min for the modified biochars. Isotherm modeling showed that the adsorption process was best described by the Freundlich and Sips models. The calculated Sips heterogeneity factors (β_S > 1) provided evidence of a cooperative multi-layer adsorption mechanism, attributed to the induced mesoporosity: initial chemisorption at high-energy sites facilitates the continuous anchoring of additional Cr(VI) ions without premature saturation. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that low-temperature calcination is a viable strategy to transform agricultural waste into kinetically efficient, cooperative adsorbents for wastewater treatment. Full article

Cryo-electron tomography (Cryo-ET) has emerged as a transformative tool for visualizing viral components within their native cellular environment, enabling structural interrogation of viral life cycle events at nanometer resolution without chemical fixation or heavy metal staining. However, a persistent challenge in applying Cryo-ET to virus research is the unambiguous identification of specific viral components within densely crowded tomographic volumes. Electron density encodes mass and shape but not molecular identity, and as the cellular environment grows more complex, the assumption that a given density has no plausible alternative assignment becomes increasingly difficult to defend. This review surveys labeling and localization strategies for in situ Cryo-ET of viral components, encompassing label-free exploitation of native electron density, Cryo-immunogold labeling, genetically encoded and synthetic molecular tags, and correlative Cryo-light/electron microscopy (Cryo-CLEM) combined with Cryo-focused ion beam (Cryo-FIB) milling. We first summarize the landmark structural discoveries that in situ Cryo-ET has delivered across virus families, and then evaluate each labeling strategy against the structural and functional constraints that viral proteins impose, providing a practical framework for matching a labeling approach to a specific viral component and life-cycle stage. Full article

Silica gel polymer material with imprinted phosphate cavities was successfully obtained using one-pot sol–gel reaction. Differences in the textural properties concerning the reduction in specific area and pore size between functionalized and pristine silica gel demonstrated the presence of the phosphate moieties in the cavities. The chemical and structural characterization of the functionalized material before and after copper adsorption was performed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and solid-state ²⁹Si and ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. All these measures proposed a phosphate non-covalently bound in the cavities of the silica gel and stabilized by silanol groups on the surface of the matrix. The phosphate–copper complex is removed after the metal desorption process, and the free cavities in the silica matrix can be replenished with phosphoric acid without affecting its adsorption capacity. The entire process of phosphate incorporation, copper adsorption, and metal-ligand desorption was repeated in three cycles, showing a similar metal adsorption capacity. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) experiments were performed to monitor the presence and proportion of phosphorus and copper at each step of the phosphate loading and copper adsorption processes. These results demonstrate the feasibility of synthesizing a rechargeable polymer material with functional molded cavities with phosphate groups capable of adsorbing copper ions. Finally, this investigation represents the first approach to new materials with a rechargeable ligand system for the adsorption of heavy metals. Full article

Finding cost-effective and eco-friendly ways to remove toxic heavy metals from wastewater remains a critical challenge for industrial sustainability. This study presents a comparative performance matrix of coal fly ash (CFA) and bone charcoal (BC) for the high-capacity remediation of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions. This work establishes a direct cross-matrix comparison between a heterogeneous aluminosilicate phase (CFA) and a uniform calcium-phosphate structure (BC) under identical systemic boundaries. SEM/EDS, FT-IR, and complementary TG/DTG/DTA screenings confirmed that distinct material-specific functional frameworks drive a predominantly physical mechanism governed by electrostatic and van der Waals interactions. Equilibrium data fitted the non-linear Langmuir model well (R² > 0.99 at 20 °C). BC proved to be significantly more effective, achieving maximum sorption capacities (q_max of 397.55 mg/g for Pb(II) and 325.09 mg/g for Cd(II), outperforming CFA (118.22 and 105.59 mg/g, respectively). Sorption capacities decreased with temperature up to 80 °C, confirming the exothermic nature of the process, which was further substantiated by negative enthalpy values (∆H⁰ = −7.27 to −14.19 kJ/mol). Thermodynamic parameters indicated a spontaneous process (∆G⁰ < 0, −9.55 to −19.33 kJ/mol) with positive entropy changes (∆S⁰ = 5.82 to 39.09 J/(mol·K)). Adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model, with intraparticle diffusion acting as a key rate-limiting step. Regardless of the adsorbent, Pb(II) ions were immobilized faster and more efficiently than Cd(II) due to a smaller hydration radius. In conclusion, both industrial by-products represent promising, sustainable options for heavy metal wastewater treatment, with BC demonstrating superior performance. Full article

The proposed work assesses the potential of Paulownia leaf-derived materials as sustainable adsorbents for the efficient removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions. Raw Paulownia leaf biomass (PL), biochar obtained by pyrolysis at 400 °C (BC), and (3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane)-functionalized oxidized biochar (APTES-OBC) were prepared. Their physicochemical properties were characterized using SEM/EDS and FTIR, and their Pb(II) adsorption performances were comprehensively investigated through pH-dependent, adsorbent dosage, kinetic, isotherm, thermodynamic, and ion-exchange studies and compared. The obtained results showed that APTES functionalization significantly improved Pb(II) adsorption performance, with adsorption capacities following the order APTES-OBC (291.86 mg/g) > BC (121.82 mg/g) > PL (104.29 mg/g). The Sips isotherm best described Pb(II) adsorption on the carbonized adsorbents, indicating heterogeneous adsorption, whereas the Redlich-Peterson isotherm model showed the best agreement with Pb(II) adsorption on the PL. The adsorption kinetics were most accurately represented by the pseudo-second-order model, indicating that chemisorption-related interactions played a dominant role during Pb(II) uptake. Diffusion studies revealed a three-stage adsorption mechanism. Ion-exchange experiments confirmed the release of Ca²⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Na⁺ ions, indicating that ion exchange contributes to the Pb(II) adsorption mechanism. However, the lower release of these ions from APTES-OBC, despite its superior adsorption capacity, indicates that Pb(II) removal is predominantly governed by surface complexation and coordination with amino-functionalized silane groups following APTES functionalization. Overall, the findings highlight a sustainable approach for the valorization of Paulownia leaf waste into efficient and environmentally safe adsorbents for heavy metal elimination from water systems. Full article

We give a systematic account of the soft mode dynamics of QCD critical point and the two-flavor color superconductivity based on the two-flavor Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model and investigate their effects on electromagnetic observables in relativistic heavy-ion collisions (HICs). We first demonstrate that the collective excitations coupled to the fluctuations of the respective order parameters are the soft modes associated with the phase transitions, in the sense that they acquire a prominent spectral strength in the low-energy and low-momentum region near the phase transitions, and the peak energy goes down, i.e., becomes softened and eventually vanishes at the critical point. It is shown that the diquark soft mode of the 2SC gives rise to the pseudogap, i.e., a depression in the density of states of the quark spectra around the Fermi surface above but in the vicinity of the critical temperature. Then, exploiting the ideas that were developed in condensed matter physics for describing the ‘para-conductivity’ in the normal phase of metal superconductors, we show that the soft modes cause an anomalous enhancement of electric conductivity and the dilepton production rate and discuss their relevance to HICs. Full article

Waste aluminum dust generated from aluminum refining and machining processes contains high fractions of Al₂O₃ and SiO₂, making it a potential secondary aluminosilicate resource for zeolite synthesis. In this study, waste aluminum dust was converted into functional zeolite materials through dry fusion purification, NaOH-assisted hydrothermal synthesis, acid purification, Si/Al ratio control, and cation-exchange modification. The raw dust was subjected to dry fusion at 1600 °C under an Ar atmosphere to remove metallic impurities and obtain an aluminosilicate precursor. Na-type zeolite was then synthesized using 50 wt.% NaOH solution at 90 °C for 24 h. The as-synthesized Na-type zeolite exhibited an estimated chemical purity of 97.501 wt.% based on measured residual impurities, with Mg, Ca, K, and Ti remaining as major impurities. HCl leaching at 0.25 M for 24 h increased the estimated chemical purity based on measured residual impurities to 98.469 wt.% while retaining the major zeolitic diffraction features. The Si/Al ratio was further controlled using water glass, and the maximum Si/Al ratio of 1.77 was obtained at a Na-type zeolite-to-water-glass mass ratio of 1:2 after reaction at 90 °C for 6 h. The purified and composition-controlled zeolite was subsequently modified with Mg²⁺ and K⁺ ions to prepare Mg-modified and K-modified zeolites. Under fixed batch conditions using a relatively high zeolite dosage and a single initial concentration, Mg-modified zeolite reduced Pb, Hg, Cr(VI), and Cd concentrations from 100 ppm to 0.004, 0.00059, 0.018, and 0.004 ppm, respectively, while K-modified zeolite reduced the total hardness of synthetic hard water from 308.3 to 40.13 ppm as CaCO₃. These results should be interpreted as preliminary batch-performance results under the tested conditions rather than as maximum adsorption capacities or a complete adsorption-mechanism evaluation. Overall, this study demonstrates the feasibility of valorizing waste aluminum dust into purified and cation-modified zeolite materials for potential water-treatment applications. Further adsorption isotherm, kinetic, dosage-dependent, BET surface area, pore-volume, pore-size distribution, and quantitative phase analyses are required to evaluate adsorption capacity, adsorption mechanism, true zeolite phase purity, and framework–performance relationships. Full article