Search Results (422)

Restoring contaminated and degraded land, including post-mining sites, industrial areas, and urban brownfields, is central to sustainable land management, and nature-based solutions (NBSs) such as phytoextraction can combine soil remediation with wider landscape-restoration goals. This screening-stage pot study evaluated how three mobilising agents, potassium iodide (KI), calcium chloride (CaCl₂), and ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl), applied at 20, 50, and 80 mg kg⁻¹ against a common citric-acid background, affect the uptake and translocation of 27 potentially toxic elements and critical raw materials in Brassica juncea and Cichorium intybus grown on a met-al-contaminated post-mining substrate from Srednogorie, Bulgaria, which is used as a model of severely degraded technogenic material relevant to industrial and urban brownfield conditions. Bioconcentration and translocation factors were calculated from XRF measurements of the substrate, root, and leaf tissue and examined descriptively with exploratory principal component analysis and clustering, since each combination was one composite sample. Plant species identity, rather than reagent, was the strongest determinant of accumulation: Brassica juncea more often retained Y, Sr, Th, and Zn in roots, whereas C. intybus translocated Rb, Sr, Pb, and Cu more readily to leaves. KI produced the most distinct profile, increasing root and, at the highest dose, shoot enrichment of V, whereas CaCl₂ and NH₄Cl mainly enhanced root retention with limited, non-monotonic effects on shoot transfer. These species- and element-specific strategies indicate screening-stage potential for phytoextraction, pending validation with replicated biomass and yield data. Full article

This study explores phytomycoremediation, a dual-biological approach combining fungal organic acid production and plant-based phytoextraction to increase uranium mobility and uptake from contaminated soils. A pot experiment was conducted using uranium-contaminated soil originating from a former uranium mining area in Zadní Chodov, Czech Republic. The soil was amended with spent mushroom substrate of the white rot fungus Pleurotus ostreatus, alongside the cultivation of Raphanus sativus (Brassicaceae). Two soils differing in uranium concentrations were used. The cultivation period lasted 2 months, during which soil solution was collected in weeks 2 and 6 using soil moisture samplers and analysed for low-molecular-weight organic acids (LMWOAs). In addition, uranium and other potentially toxic elements (including cadmium, lead, and arsenic) were quantified in the plant biomass. Among the detected LMWOAs, citrate concentrations increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the soil solution from the fungus-amended soil samples. However, the uranium concentrations in the plant tissues remained relatively low, with uranium predominantly retained in roots. Moreover, uranium uptake by plants tended to decrease in the presence of the fungus, which was confirmed as significant (p < 0.05) in roots. This pattern suggests that P. ostreatus SMS did not enhance uranium phytoextraction under the tested conditions and may have reduced plant-accessible uranium, although direct measurements of uranium speciation and fungal uranium retention are required to confirm this mechanism. Although P. ostreatus SMS increased LMWOA concentrations, particularly citrate, this did not translate into enhanced uranium uptake by plants. Further research involving additional fungal and plant species, as well as optimisation of environmental conditions, is needed to improve phytomycoremediation strategies for uranium-contaminated environments. Full article

One method for removing neonicotinoids from the environment that is considered safe, eco-friendly, and sustainable is phytoremediation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the sewage sludge-based compost rate on substrate activity in the presence of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) and the effectiveness of the phytoremediation of substrate contaminated with imidacloprid (IM). A pot experiment was conducted using mineral substrate amended with sewage sludge-based compost (4 kg/m² and 8 kg/m²). IM aqueous solutions (250 ng/L and 500 ng/L) were applied to rapeseed seedlings, alongside compost substrate without IM (control). The following were determined: the content of IM in the substrate/rapeseed shoots, the main substrate properties, the activities of dehydrogenases and β-glucosidase, the number of bacteria, mold fungi and fluorescing Pseudomonas, and the number of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA). It was reported that the application of compost significantly increased rapeseed shoot biomass and substrate enzymatic activity. However, the efficiency of IM uptake by plants decreased (by approximately 40%) with an increase in its dose in the substrate. At the same time, IM had a negative effect on the abundance of AOA (on average, 12% less than in the control), while the compost rate caused an increase in AOA abundance but with a lower IM dose. The obtained results indicate that direct phytoextraction from the shoots was limited, and the low apparent yield may be explained by unmeasured processes including transformation, sorption, retention by the roots or other losses. It should also be noted that an important limitation of these studies was the lack of determination of the IM content in roots and the identification of IM metabolites. Full article

In recent years, the cosmetic and dermo-cosmetic industries have experienced a shift driven by the principles of green chemistry and the growing consumer demand for clean-beauty platforms. Conventional personal care formulations heavily rely on synthetic glycols, petroleum-derived penetration enhancers, and heavy chemical preservatives to stabilize active ingredients and optimize topical application. However, these ingredients are increasingly scrutinized due to their associated carbon footprints and processing inefficiencies. Consequently, the development of multi-functional, bio-based, and ecologically sustainable solvents has emerged as a primary frontier in modern cosmetic engineering. For the first time, this study focused on determining the physicochemical properties and direct cosmetic application potential of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADESs) based on 1,3-propanediol (PDO) and glycerin (GLY) paired with organic acids (citric, succinic, malic, and lactic) at a 6:1 molar ratio. Unlike traditional, highly viscous eutectic mixtures, the engineered NADESs successfully optimized liquid dynamic viscosities, overcoming a major barrier for topical application. The new NADESs and, for comparison, a physical mixture of their substrates were incorporated into aqueous serums and O/W emulsions. Accelerated stability trials (40 °C/4 °C, 3 months) combined with pH monitoring revealed that while liquid serums maintained exceptional stability, the emulsion formulations were highly dependent on the specific acid structures. All formulations of cosmetics demonstrated very good radical scavenging activity (up to 89% DPPH inhibition) and microbiological purity, complying with the ISO 17516:2014 standard. Furthermore, in vivo sensory evaluations visualized via heatmaps confirmed that NADESs effectively eliminated the characteristic “sticky effect” of polyols, significantly enhancing product ease of application on skin. This study provides the first systematic evidence that these NADESs offer seamless cold-process compounding, reduced homogenization times, and simplified single-pot operations. Consequently, this work establishes a novel, clean-beauty-compliant platform for advanced dermo-cosmetic manufacturing. Full article

Underwater adhesion is often compromised by interfacial hydration and insufficient bulk properties. Herein, a montmorillonite-reinforced poly (acrylic acid-co-butyl acrylate-co-2-phenoxyethyl acrylate) [P(AA-co-BA-co-PEA)/MMT] liquid adhesive was fabricated by one-pot free-radical polymerization. Solvent exchange and the balanced hydrophilic–hydrophobic composition facilitated hydration-layer displacement and intimate substrate contact, whereas MMT introduced additional physical interactions that restricted chain mobility and reinforced the adhesive bulk. The adhesive achieved underwater lap-shear strengths of 66.01–238.00 kPa on polypropylene, poly (vinyl chloride), polytetrafluoroethylene, wood, 304 stainless steel, and glass, representing improvements of 10.35–157.62% over the MMT-free adhesive. The highest strength, 238.00 ± 5.52 kPa, was obtained on 304 stainless steel. Moreover, the 180° peel strength increased by 23.90% to 107.76 ± 5.12 N m⁻¹, while the swelling ratio decreased by 33.59% to 10.20 ± 1.09%. Rheological and thermal analyses further supported the MMT-induced enhancement of the adhesive bulk. This synergistic regulation of interfacial adhesion and composite reinforcement provides a simple route toward versatile liquid adhesives for robust underwater bonding. Full article

Self-supported electrodes that combine high activity, durability, and low-cost manufacturing are essential for scalable alkaline water electrolysis. Here, we report a one-pot, high-current-density electrodeposition platform that grows Ni-rich bimetallic catalysts directly on a carbon fabric derived from a mass-produced bamboo-cellulose kitchen wipe (bamboo-derived carbon fabric, BCF). Using a single NiCl₂/NH₄Cl base bath containing 5 mM of a selectable secondary metal ion (Ce, Fe, W, or Mo), galvanostatic deposition at 1 A cm⁻² for 15 min produces conformal polycrystalline catalyst shells on the individual carbon fibers. The Ce-containing cathode (BCF@NiCe) delivers hydrogen evolution overpotentials of 96.8 mV at 20 mA cm⁻² and 222 mV at 1 A cm⁻², rivaling a Pt/C benchmark on the same substrate at industrially relevant current densities, which is attributed to the cooperative interface between metallic Ni and nanocrystalline, oxygen-vacancy-rich CeO_2−x together with a superhydrophilic fibrous architecture that releases fine H₂ microbubbles. Adding Fe to the same bath yields a Ni–Fe–Ce anode (BCF@NiFeCe) that outperforms a RuO₂ benchmark for oxygen evolution above 0.1 A cm⁻² (η = 312 mV at 0.1 A cm⁻²) with a Tafel slope of 60 mV dec⁻¹. Both electrodes operate stably for 200 h of continuous electrolysis, with the Ni/CeO_2−x nanostructure, the oxygen-vacancy population, and the surface chemical states fully preserved after the test, and the same protocol extends to Ni–W and Ni–Mo on nickel foam, establishing a versatile, low-cost route to high-current-density electrodes for green hydrogen production. Full article

To evaluate how composted agricultural and forestry organic materials function as components of horticultural growing media, a pot experiment was conducted with chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) grown in a cinnamon-soil-based medium. The composted material, produced from chestnut shells, chicken manure, and spent mushroom substrate, was incorporated at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, and 50% (v/v). Water-extractable dissolved organic matter (WE-DOM) was characterized by excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC), together with the fluorescence index (FI), biological index (BIX), humification index (HIX), and fluorescence regional integration (FRI). Growing-medium physicochemical properties, chrysanthemum traits, and an entropy-weighted comprehensive evaluation were also assessed. Compost amendment increased soil organic matter (SOM), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total nitrogen, and total phosphorus, lowered pH, and was associated with improved porosity and water-retention characteristics. FI ranged from 1.810 to 2.371 and exceeded 1.9 at amendment rates of 30–35%, suggesting a greater contribution from microbially derived DOM. BIX, HIX, and P_V,n/P_III,n were generally higher in amended treatments than in the control, although their responses were non-monotonic across amendment rates, suggesting greater contributions from recently produced DOM and stronger humification-related fluorescence signals. EEM-PARAFAC resolved five fluorescent components. C1, C2, C3, and C5 were predominantly humic-like, whereas C4 displayed both protein-like and humic-like features. With increasing amendment rate, the relative contributions of C1–C4 generally increased, whereas that of C5 declined, suggesting a shift from the native soil fluorescence profile toward a more complex DOM composition influenced by compost inputs and subsequent biological transformation. Chrysanthemum height, stem diameter, flower number, and biomass were generally more favorable at amendment rates of 30–40%. The entropy-weighted evaluation yielded the highest overall response score at 30%, while the 35% treatment also maintained a high score. Considering WE-DOM fluorescence characteristics, growing-medium properties, and plant performance together, a volumetric amendment rate of 30–35% represents a relatively favorable range for the tested composted material under the present pot-experiment conditions. Full article

Urban and industrial activities have lasting effects on Earth ecosystems, impairing their functionality. Technosols offer a sustainable solution for restoring degraded urban and industrial ecosystems. In a 30-day microcosm experiment, a mixture of six pioneer plant species was sown in three substrates: a sewage sludge-based Technosol (GF), a zeolite-enriched Technosol (GZ), and a commercial potting mix control (GC). The plant population dynamics, final performance, and substrate biochemical properties were monitored. A strong environmental filter allowed only two species (Bromus inermis Leyss. and Lolium perenne L.) to establish. Technosols exerted a demographic bottleneck, delaying emergence and reducing the total biomass relative to the control. Zeolites in the GZ Technosol mitigated this delay, accelerating early establishment due to their microporous structure and high cation exchange capacity. However, GZ caused the greatest reduction in individual biomass and functional plant performance index, corresponding to a microbial shift toward oxidative activity at the expense of hydrolytic nutrient mineralization. These results show that sewage sludge Technosols can initiate functional ecological succession. While zeolites positively affect germination, their microbial interaction suggests a temporary decoupling between the establishment speed and final productivity. Integrated monitoring of demographic and biochemical dynamics is therefore essential to optimize Technosol-based environmental restoration. Full article

Grafting and foliar calcium application are common practices for improving vegetable crops, but their interactions in soil and soilless cultivation systems are not well understood. To address these knowledge gaps for sustainable greenhouse cucumber production, this study investigated the effects of calcium foliar application (control, 200 mg/L as nano-CaCO₃ or CaCl₂) and grafting (no grafting, grafting on Ganate rootstock or Routpower rootstock) on the growth and yield of greenhouse cucumber cv. Saba in soil and soilless systems. It should be noted that the two cultivation systems differed in several management factors (pot size, substrate, irrigation frequency, and fertilization method), and this study compares complete production packages rather than isolating individual factors. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using a factorial design with four replications. The results showed that the cultivation system was the dominant factor. Soilless cultivation significantly increased shoot fresh weight (307–344 g), plant height (265–326 cm), number of fruits (36–54 per plant), and fruit yield (2.7–4.5 kg per plant) compared to soil cultivation (shoot fresh weight: 177–216 g; yield: 0.4–1.0 kg per plant). Conversely, plants grown in soil had higher leaf dry weight percentage, root dry weight percentage, chlorophyll, and carotenoids. The effects of grafting were system dependent, with non-grafted plants performing as well or better in soilless culture, while grafted plants (especially Saba/Routpower combination) showed some soil-based advantages, including greater root length. Foliar calcium did not significantly improve most parameters, indicating that standard nutrient management provided sufficient calcium or that the 200 mg/L concentration was insufficient. Under the conditions tested, ungrafted plants grown without foliar calcium supplementation in soilless culture achieved yields comparable to more complex treatments, suggesting a simpler and more cost-effective production strategy. Full article

Metal-contaminated mining soils require management options that reduce environmental risk while enabling the controlled reuse of degraded land. Following the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), this review synthesizes evidence on the use of non-food crops for the phytomanagement of metal-contaminated mining soils, with particular emphasis on crop establishment, agronomic performance, metal uptake and partitioning, biomass safety, valorisation pathways, and safe land reuse. Searches conducted in Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, complemented by Google Scholar and manual screening, identified 7223 records; after duplicate removal and eligibility assessment, 85 publications were included in the final synthesis. The evidence indicates that non-food crops can support phytostabilization, exclusion-based phytomanagement, biomass production, and, in selected cases, phytoextraction. However, their suitability is strongly site-specific and depends on substrate constraints, contaminant behaviour, biomass quality, and residue-management requirements. Field and pilot-scale evidence remains less frequent than pot and greenhouse studies, which limits the direct transfer of findings to heterogeneous post-mining landscapes. Biomass safety emerged as a critical decision point because harvested biomass and conversion residues may become secondary contamination pathways. Based on the evidence map, this review proposes a seven-step conceptual decision-support framework linking site diagnosis, management objective definition, crop pre-selection and field-performance screening, metal-risk behaviour assessment, biomass safety assessment, land-reuse matching, and adaptive monitoring. The proposed framework is intended as a screening and planning tool and requires site-specific validation before operational implementation. Full article

The present study investigated the effects of different soil substrates (mixtures, based on a mica schist-derived soil), on the plant growth, soil chemical properties, nutritional status and photosynthetic parameters of chestnut (Castanea sativa) seedlings. The aim was to produce robust seedlings, suitable for plantations or reforestation of forest ecosystems, while also provide the necessary nutrient input during the early stages of development. A pot experiment was conducted comprising four treatments: (i) CONTROL, consisting of soil derived from mica schist weathering (MS), (ii) MS with inorganic fertilization (MS-FER), (iii) MS amended with forest floor, derived from evergreen broad-leaved trees (MS-EFF); and (iv) MS amended with forest floor, derived from chestnut trees (MS-CFF). Regarding seedlings’ growth, both types of forest floor exerted a positive effect similar to that observed after inorganic fertilization (MS-FER), while all treatments maintained a satisfactory and stable photosynthetic performance; however, an enhancement in leaf chlorophyll content (CCI) was specifically observed under inorganic fertilization. Except Olsen P and exchangeable Mg, which were significantly higher in the MS-FER treatment, all the other soil nutrients were higher either in the MS-EFF, or in the MS-CFF treatments. Overall, both types of forest floor proved effective as organic amendments, suggesting that they could serve as an alternative or complement to inorganic fertilization, potentially reducing fertilizer inputs in chestnut seedling production. Full article

Blueberries are in high demand across the world due to their nutritional characteristics. The objective of this study was to conduct an agro-morphological and physicochemical characterisation of blueberry varieties (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) in the high Andean valleys of Ecuador, aiming to evaluate their productive performance and agro-industrial potential. The introduced varieties Eureka Maxx, Eureka Gold and Biloxi were studied across different agricultural systems and substrates under a randomised block design. The agro-morphological characterisation included variables such as latent buds, vegetative shoots, flowering onset and yield. Eureka Maxx grown in pots had the highest productivity (37.1%). In the physicochemical analysis, which considered diameter, firmness, pH, acidity, soluble solids, moisture and colour, it was observed that Eureka Maxx and Eureka Gold outperformed Biloxi in size (23.7 mm), firmness (15.2 N), and concentration of soluble solids (11.9 Brix). In general, plant growth and development are influenced by the environmental conditions of the site and crop management practices. Our results show that the varieties Eureka Maxx and Eureka Gold are viable alternatives for blueberry production in the high Andean valleys of Ecuador, to replace the Biloxi and Emerald varieties. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of water washing on the properties of biochars produced from tomato greens (TB) and vineyard pruning (VB), and examined how these changes influence plant performance in biochar–peat substrates. A 31-day pot experiment was conducted using tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum L.) grown on biochar/peat mixtures at a 60:40 (v/v) ratio. Fresh biochars (TB 0, VB 0) and biochars subjected to one (TB 1, VB 1) or two (TB 2, VB 2) washings were assessed. Washing substantially reduced pH from 10 to 9 in both materials. The electrical conductivity (EC) and salt content of TB 0 (9147 ± 96 μS cm⁻¹) were markedly higher than those of VB 0 (1539 ± 33 μS cm⁻¹). Successive washing effectively lowered EC to 1019 ± 18 µS cm⁻¹ and 75.4 ± 4 μS cm⁻¹, respectively. Plant performance improved significantly as salinity decreased. Statistical analyses indicated a stronger influence of EC than pH on plant growth. Reduced germination was primarily associated with osmotic stress caused by elevated concentrations of soluble salts, particularly Na, K, Ca, Cl, and S. Biomass production was negatively correlated with these ions. Only Ca and K exhibited significant negative relationships, suggesting that nutrient antagonism may also have contributed to growth inhibition. These findings demonstrate that water washing is an effective strategy for enhancing the horticultural suitability of salt-rich biochars. Salinity, rather than alkalinity alone, appears to be the principal constraint limiting their use as peat substitutes. Washing therefore broadens the potential application of salt-rich green waste-derived biochars in horticultural substrates, supporting peat conservation and circular-economy approaches to organic waste valorization. Full article

The quality and productivity of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) crops largely depend on the quality of the seedlings used for cultivation. Several factors, including cultivation strategy, fertilization practices, and abiotic and biotic stressors during early plant development, influence seedling quality. Recently, anaerobic digestate has attracted attention as a potential organic fertilizer and substrate component; however, information about its effects on tomato seedling quality remains limited, particularly when comparing different seedling establishment methods such as direct sowing and transplanting. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of solid grain waste digestate (further digestate) in the peat substrate on the growth and physiological characteristics of tomato seedlings grown by means of direct sowing and transplanting. The experiment was conducted at the Institute of Horticulture of the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry in unheated greenhouses covered with double polymer film. Two cultivation strategies were applied (factor A): transplanting and direct sowing into pots. To evaluate the influence of digestate (factor B), different substrate compositions were used: peat (control) and peat mixed with 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% digestate. The strong decline in growth parameters with increasing digestate concentration indicates that higher proportions of digestate created unfavorable conditions for seedling development in both cultivation stategies. A 10% digestate addition improved certain plant characteristics, while 20% improved some physiological indices but was associated with reduced growth. However, higher digestate concentrations (≥30%) negatively affected plant growth and physiological activity. Seedlings grown in substrates with higher digestate levels exhibited reduced transpiration rates and lower gas exchange indices, suggesting impaired water relations and stomatal regulation. These effects were more pronounced in transplanted plants compared with direct-sown seedlings, indicating greater sensitivity to changes in substrate composition after transplanting. Overall, the results demonstrate that digestate can be used as a substrate component for tomato seedling production. Still, its concentration must be carefully optimized to avoid negative effects on plant growth and physiological performance. Full article

To evaluate the effects of saline water on the yield and quality of tomatoes, a late fruit-setting stage irrigation experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using two cultivars: medium-fruited, tasty Strawberry tomato (fresh-eating) and large-fruited Maofen tomato (fresh/processing). For this, plants were grown in pots containing substrate, and five irrigation water electrical conductivity (EC) levels (1.0 as control, 2.6, 4.2, 5.8, and 7.4 dS m⁻¹) were applied for each cultivar, resulting in a 2 × 5 factorial design with 10 treatments in total. Then, tomato growth, fruit ion composition, and quality attributes were evaluated. The results showed that 1.0–7.4 dS m⁻¹ saline water had no significant impact on the plant height, stem diameter, single-fruit weight, or total yield of either cultivar. However, Strawberry tomato’s marketable yield decreased by 23.5% at 7.4 dS m⁻¹. The yield per plant of Maofen tomato was 2.7 times that of Strawberry tomato. Fruit Na⁺ content increased with EC for both cultivars; Maofen tomato had higher Na⁺ and a lower K⁺/Na⁺ ratio, with greater ion content responses to salinity. Regression analysis revealed distinctly nonlinear responses in key yield, ion, and quality parameters across the salinity gradient. The fruit comprehensive quality score (CQS) rose with EC, and Strawberry tomato’s average CQS increase (109%) was significantly higher than Maofen tomato’s. In conclusion, saline irrigation initiated when the fourth-cluster fruits attained 60% of the final harvested diameter, at EC ≤ 5.8 dS m⁻¹ for Strawberry tomato and ≤7.4 dS m⁻¹ for Maofen tomato, improved fruit quality without compromising yield. Strawberry tomato is recommended for quality-oriented production, whereas Maofen tomato is better suited for yield-oriented production, providing scientific support for saline water utilization in greenhouse soil-less cultivation. Full article