Search Results (1,213)

To stimulate the progress of clean fracturing fluid systems, an innovative erucyl ultra-long-chain gemini surfactant (EUCGS) was devised and manufactured during the course of this study. The target product was successfully prepared via a two-step reaction involving erucyl primary amine, 3-bromopropionyl chloride, and 1,3-bis(dimethylamino)propanediol, with an overall yield of 78.6%. FT-IR and ¹H NMR characterization confirmed the presence of C₂₂ ultra-long chains, cis double bonds, amide bonds, and quaternary ammonium headgroups in the product structure. Performance tests showed that EUCGS exhibited an extremely low critical micelle concentration (CMC = 0.018 mmol/L) and excellent ability to reduce surface tension (γCMC = 30.0 mN/m). Rheological property studies indicated that EUCGS solutions gradually exhibited significant non-Newtonian fluid characteristics with increasing concentration, and wormlike micelles with a network structure could self-assemble at a concentration of 1.0 mmol/L. Dynamic rheological tests revealed that the solutions showed typical Maxwell fluid behavior and significant shear-thinning properties, which originated from the orientation and disruption of the wormlike micelle network structure under shear stress. In the presence of 225 mmol/L NaCl, the apparent viscosity of a 20 mmol/L EUCGS solution increased from 86 mPa·s to 256 mPa·s. A temperature resistance evaluation showed that EUCGS solutions had a good temperature resistance at high shear rates and 100 °C. The performance evaluation of fracturing fluids indicates that the proppant settling rate (0.25 cm/min) of the EUCGS-FFS system at 90 °C is significantly superior to that of the conventional system. It features the low dosage and high efficiency of the breaker, with the final core damage rate being only 0.9%. The results demonstrate that the EUCGS achieves a synergistic optimization of high-efficiency interfacial activity, controllable rheological properties, and excellent thermal–salt stability through precise molecular structure design, providing a new material choice for the development of intelligent responsive clean fracturing fluids. Full article

In our previous study, we observed that sodium chloride (NaCl) influences the formation of amyloid fibrils (AFs) by gluten in cooked wheat noodles. However, the underlying mechanisms of NaCl’s effect on AF formation during the cooking process remain unclear. This study systematically investigates the impact of NaCl concentration (0–2.0%, w/w) and cooking time (0–7 min) on AF formation. ThT fluorescence and Congo red confirmed AF formation across all NaCl concentration levels. At low NaCl concentrations, Na⁺/Cl⁻ shielding reduced electrostatic repulsion, enabling ordered β-sheet stacking, yielding long fibrils (1193 nm) with high β-sheet content (41.5%), dense cross-β structures, and elevated hydrophobicity (H₀ = 9980). Stable zeta potential and gradual particle growth (376 to 1193 nm) supported controlled elongation. Conversely, high NaCl concentrations disrupted hydrogen bonding, forming shorter fibrils (820 nm) with reduced β-sheets (28.9%) and lower hydrophobicity (H₀ = 5923). Rapid ThT kinetics (df/dt = 77,535 FU/min) and SE-HPLC profiles suggest that elevated concentrations of NaCl inhibit AF formation while inducing the generation of amorphous aggregates. These findings clarify the balance between ionic shielding and hydrophobic interactions in AF assembly, offering strategies to optimize noodle texture. Future studies should address the digestibility and health implications of salt-modulated AFs for functional food applications. Full article

Foam stability plays a critical role in a wide range of industrial and scientific applications. In this study, an innovative method is presented for assessing foam stability through electrical conductivity measurements of liquid films formed within a controlled experimental setup. A modified horizontal glass capillary system with vertically aligned copper electrodes was developed, allowing the continuous monitoring of film drainage and rupture behavior under precise humidity (92% RH) and temperature (30 °C). Experiments were conducted using various concentrations of sodium dodecyl sulfate and Ethylan 1005, with and without NaCl addition. The results demonstrate that film stability increases with higher surfactant concentrations up to a point, beyond which the addition of salt can have either stabilizing or destabilizing effects depending on whether concentration levels are below or above the Critical Micelle Concentration (CMC). At sub-CMC levels, NaCl enhanced film stability by promoting surfactant adsorption and reducing electrostatic repulsion. Conversely, in super-CMC conditions, NaCl led to film destabilization, likely due to changes in interfacial structure and micellar behavior. This approach provides a simple, sensitive, and reproducible technique to quantitatively characterize foam film stability, offering key mechanistic insights and practical guidance for the formulation and optimization of foaming systems across diverse applications. Full article

Climate change due to global warming increases the susceptibility of plants to multiple combined stresses. Soil salinization and high temperature stresses that co-occur in arid/semiarid regions severely restrict the growth and development of plants. Although alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important forage grass, the physiological mechanisms driving its responses to combined salt and heat stress are not yet clear. This study aimed to reveal the physiological and biochemical response mechanisms of six alfalfa cultivars to different stresses by comparing plant morphology, agronomic traits, photosynthetic characteristics, and physiological and biochemical responses under control conditions, salt stress (200 mM NaCl), heat stress (38 °C), and combined salt and heat stress. Compared with single stresses, combined stress significantly inhibited the growth and biomass accumulation of alfalfa. Under combined stress, the cultivars presented decreases in plant height and total fresh biomass of 11.87–26.49% and 28.22–39.97%, respectively, compared with those of the control plants. Heat stress promoted alfalfa photosynthesis by increasing stomatal conductance, net photosynthetic rate, and transpiration rate, while salt stress and combined stress significantly suppressed these effects. Combined stress significantly increased the concentration of Na⁺ but decreased that of K⁺ and the relative water content in alfalfa leaves. Compared with the control and single stress treatments, combined stress significantly increased the level of membrane lipid peroxidation and accumulation of reactive oxygen species. The proline contents in the leaves of the different alfalfa cultivars were 2.79–11.26 times greater under combined stress than in the control. Combined stress causes alfalfa to redistribute energy from growth and development to stress defense pathways, ultimately leading to a reduction in biomass. Our study provides theoretical guidance for analyzing the mechanisms of grass resistance to combined salt and heat stress. Full article

Calcium ameliorates salt-related growth defects in plants. The objective of this study was to determine whether supplying calcium through a seed enrichment technique enhances the germinability and early growth of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) under saline conditions. For seed enrichment, timothy seeds were soaked in CaCl₂ solutions at concentrations of 50 mM or 100 mM for 24 h at room temperature. Seeds treated with distilled water served as the control. Under distilled water conditions, germination rates among the seeds showed minimal variation, approximately 95% on average. However, in a 200 mM NaCl environment, the germination rate of the control seeds significantly decreased to 25%, while the germination rates of the Ca-enriched seeds remained high, exceeding 86%. Additionally, the Ca-enriched seeds germinated more quickly than the control seeds. When plants were grown with distilled water, the total dry matter weights did not differ significantly among the treatment types. However, under salt stress with 100 mM NaCl, the plants derived from Ca-enriched seeds thrived and exhibited higher dry matter weights compared to the control plants. The Ca-enriched seeds contained more soluble sugars and demonstrated higher catalase activity than the control seeds, and their corresponding plants accumulated less sodium under salt stress compared to the control plants. Seed enrichment is an effective technique for supplying calcium to timothy, and a concentration of 50 mM of CaCl₂ in the treatment solution is sufficient to achieve salt tolerance. Full article

The sustainable utilization of saline water resources represents an effective strategy for alleviating water scarcity in arid regions. However, the mechanisms by which prolonged saline water irrigation influences soil salinization and dryland crop growth are not yet fully understood. This study examined the effects of six irrigation water salinity levels (CK: 0.87 g·L⁻¹, S1: 2 g·L⁻¹, S2: 4 g·L⁻¹, S3: 6 g·L⁻¹, S4: 8 g·L⁻¹, S5: 10 g·L⁻¹) on soil salinization dynamics and jujube growth during a three-year field experiment (2020–2022). The results showed that soil salinity within the 0–1 m profile significantly increased with rising irrigation water salinity and prolonged irrigation duration, with the 0–0.4 m layer accounting for 50.27–74.95% of the total salt accumulation. A distinct unimodal salt distribution was observed in the 0.3–0.6 m soil zone, with the salinity peak shifting downward from 0.4 to 0.5 m over time. Meanwhile, soil pH and sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) increased steadily over the study period. The dominant hydrochemical type shifted from SO₄²⁻-Ca²⁺·Mg²⁺ to Cl⁻-Na⁺·Mg²⁺. Crop performance exhibited a nonlinear response to irrigation salinity levels. Low salinity (2 g·L⁻¹) significantly enhanced plant height, stem diameter, leaf area index (LAI), vitamin C content, and yield, with improvements of up to 12.11%, 3.96%, 16.67%, 16.24%, and 16.52% in the early years. However, prolonged exposure to saline irrigation led to significant declines in both plant growth and water productivity (WP) by 2022. Under high-salinity conditions (S5), yield decreased by 16.75%, while WP declined by more than 30%. To comprehensively evaluate the trade-off between economic effects and soil environment, the entropy weight TOPSIS method was employed to identify S1 as the optimal irrigation treatment for the 2020–2021 period and control (CK) as the optimal treatment for 2022. Through fitting analysis, the optimal irrigation water salinity levels over 3 years were determined to be 2.75 g·L⁻¹, 2.49 g·L⁻¹, and 0.87 g·L⁻¹, respectively. These findings suggest that short-term irrigation of jujube trees with saline water at concentrations ≤ 3 g·L⁻¹ is agronomically feasible. Full article

Salinization hinders the restoration of vegetation in salt-affected soils by negatively impacting plant growth and development. Halophytes play a key role in the restoration of saline and degraded lands due to unique features explaining their growth aptitude in such extreme ecosystems. Suaeda fruticosa is an euhalophyte well known for its medicinal properties and its potential for saline soil phytoremediation. However, excessive salt accumulation in soil limits the development of this species. Research findings increasingly advocate the use of extremophile rhizosphere bacteria as an effective approach to reclaim salinized soils, in conjunction with their salt-alleviating effect on plants. Here, a pot experiment was conducted to assess the role of a halotolerant plant growth-promoting actinobacterium, Glutamicibacter sp., on the growth, nutritional status, and shoot content of proline, total soluble carbohydrates, and phenolic compounds in the halophyte S. fruticosa grown for 60 d under high salinity (600 mM NaCl). Results showed that inoculation with Glutamicibacter sp. significantly promoted the growth of inoculated plants under stress conditions. More specifically, bacterial inoculation increased the shoot concentration of proline, total polyphenols, potassium (K⁺), nitrogen (N), and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio in shoots, while significantly decreasing Na⁺ concentrations. These mechanisms partly explain S. fruticosa tolerance to high saline concentrations. Our findings provide some mechanistic elements at the ecophysiological level, enabling a better understanding of the crucial role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) in enhancing halophyte growth and highlight their potential for utilization in restoring vegetation in salt-affected soils. Full article

Since the onset of industrialization, the safety of arable land has become a pressing global concern, with soil salinization emerging as a critical threat to agricultural productivity and food security. To address this challenge, the cultivation of economically valuable salt-tolerant plants has been proposed as a viable strategy. In the study, we investigated the physiological and molecular responses of Lycium ruthenicum Murr. to varying NaCl concentrations. Results revealed a concentration-dependent dual effect: low NaCl levels significantly promoted seed germination, while high concentrations exerted strong inhibitory effects. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying these divergent responses, a combined analysis of metabolomics and transcriptomics was applied to identify key metabolic pathways and genes. Notably, salt stress enhanced photosynthetic efficiency through coordinated modulation of ribulose 5-phosphate and erythrose-4-phosphate levels, coupled with the upregulation of critical genes encoding RPIA (Ribose 5-phosphate isomerase A) and RuBisCO (Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase). Under low salt stress, L. ruthenicum maintained intact cellular membrane structures and minimized oxidative damage, thereby supporting germination and early growth. In contrast, high salinity severely disrupted PS I (Photosynthesis system I) functionality, blocking energy flow into this pathway while simultaneously inducing membrane lipid peroxidation and triggering pronounced cellular degradation. This ultimately suppressed seed germination rates and impaired root elongation. These findings suggested a mechanistic framework for understanding L. ruthenicum adaptation under salt stress and pointed out a new way for breeding salt-tolerant crops and understanding the mechanism. Full article

Oil and gas field water not only contains low concentrations of lithium but also a lot of suspended matter, inorganic salt, and organic matter. Both inorganic ions and organic substances influence the extraction of lithium. To improve the extraction efficiency of low-concentration lithium in oil and gas field water, the effects of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cl⁻, Br⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, and organic substances on the extraction efficiency of lithium were studied. The results showed that Na⁺ can promote the extraction of lithium to a certain extent, and lithium ions competed with K+ for extraction; however, the separation coefficient remained more than 13. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ have a significant influence on the extraction of lithium and should be removed prior to extraction. Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, and NO₃⁻ have little influence on the extraction solution of lithium. Among the organic components, a high concentration of long-chain alkane has a certain effect on the extraction efficiency of lithium, while other substances have little effect. On this basis, the first step for precipitating impurity ions and the second step for solvent extraction of lithium were established. After removing the impurity ions, the extraction efficiency of lithium can reach over 90%. Taking 15L of oil and gas field water as the research object, after extraction, back extraction, concentration, depth impurities removal by extraction, and precipitation drying, the purity of the lithium carbonate product can be achieved at 99.28%. This study can provide technical support for the efficient extraction of low-concentration lithium from oil and gas field water. Full article

This study explored the potential of chitosan (CH)/bacterial cellulose (BC) complexes (0.5% w/v) as novel emulsifiers to stabilize oil-in-water (o/w) Pickering emulsions (20% v/v sunflower oil), with a focus on their gel-like behavior. Emulsions were prepared using CH combined with BNC derived via H₂SO₄ (BNC1) or H₂SO₄-HCl (BNC2) hydrolysis. Increasing BNC content improved stability by reducing phase separation and enhancing viscosity, while CH contributed interfacial activity and electrostatic stabilization. CH/BNC1_25:75 emulsions showed the highest stability, maintaining an emulsion stability index (ESI) of up to 100% after 3 days, with minimal change in droplet size (R_h ~8.5–8.8 μm) and a positive ζ-potential (15.1–29.8 mV), as confirmed by dynamic/electrophoretic light scattering. pH adjustment to 4 and 10 had little effect on their ESI, while ionic strength studies showed that 0.1 M NaCl caused only a slight increase in droplet size combined with the highest ζ-potential (−35.2 mV). Higher salt concentrations led to coalescence and disruption of their gel-like structure. Rheological analysis of CH/BNC1_25:75 emulsions revealed shear-thinning behavior and dominant elastic properties (G′ > G″), indicating a soft gel network. Incorporating sunflower-seed protein isolates into CH/BNC1 (25:75) emulsions led to coacervate formation (three-layer system), characterized by a decrease in droplet size and an increase in ζ-potential (up to 32.8 mV) over 7 days. These findings highlight CH/BNC complexes as sustainable stabilizers for food-grade Pickering emulsions, supporting the development of biopolymer-based emulsifiers aligned with bioeconomy principles. Full article

The suitability of 347H stainless steel (SS347H) for chloride salt environments is critical in selecting materials for next-generation concentrated solar power (CSP) systems. This study investigated the corrosion behavior of SS347H in a ton-scale purification system with continuously flowing chloride salt under three conditions: exposure to NaCl-KCl-MgCl₂ molten salt vapor, immersion in molten salt, and at the molten salt surface interface. Results revealed that corrosion was most severe in the molten salt vapor, where HCl steam facilitated Cl⁻ reactions with Fe and Cr in the metal, causing dissolution and forming deep corrosion pits. At the interface, liquid Mg triggered displacement reactions with Fe²⁺/Cr²⁺ ions in the salt, depositing Fe and Cr onto the surface, which reduced corrosion intensity. Within the molten salt, Mg’s purification effect minimized impurity-induced corrosion, resulting in the least damage. In all cases, the primary corrosion mechanism involves the dissolution of Fe and Cr, with the formation of minor MgO. These insights provide valuable guidance for applying 347H stainless steel in chloride salt environments. Full article

The use of chloride-based deicing salts, particularly sodium chloride (NaCl) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂), is a common practice in cold regions for maintaining road safety during winter. However, the accumulation of salt residues in adjacent soils poses serious environmental threats, including reduced pH, increased electrical conductivity (EC), disrupted soil structure, and plant growth inhibition. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of activated carbon (AC) and Pennisetum alopecuroides, a salt-tolerant perennial grass, in alleviating salinity stress under deicer-treated soils. A factorial greenhouse experiment was conducted using three fixed factors: (i) presence or absence of Pennisetum alopecuroides, (ii) deicer type (NaCl or CaCl₂), and (iii) activated carbon mixing ratio (0, 1, 2, 5, and 10%). Soil pH, EC, and ion concentrations (Na⁺, Cl⁻, Ca²⁺) were measured, along with six plant growth indicators. The results showed that increasing AC concentrations significantly increased pH and reduced EC and ion accumulation, with the 5% AC treatment being optimal in both deicer systems. Plant physiological responses were improved in AC-amended soils, especially under CaCl₂ treatment, indicating less ion toxicity and better root zone conditions. The interaction effects between AC, deicer type, and plant presence were statistically significant (p < 0.05), supporting a synergistic remediation mechanism involving both adsorption and biological uptake. Despite the limitations of short-term controlled conditions, this study offers a promising phytomanagement strategy using natural adsorbents and salt-tolerant plants for sustainable remediation of salt-affected soils in road-adjacent and urban environments. Full article

The build-up of a fouling layer on the membrane surface is believed to deteriorate flux and salt rejection by hindering back-diffusion of rejected salts, a phenomenon called cake-enhanced concentration polarization (CECP). Nevertheless, CECP effects have not been linked to the salt rejection properties of the membrane. Furthermore, the decline in salt rejection during fouling has not been related to the decreasing flux, to elucidate the effects of flux on solution rejection as described by the solution-diffusion (SD) model. Therefore, this work examined whether CECP is substantial in membranes with poor salt-rejection properties. Fouling was performed using sodium alginate, Al₂O₃, latex, and SiO₂. The effects of fouling on salt rejection were studied using two nanofiltration (NF) membranes, namely NF270 membrane (46% NaCl rejection) and NF90 membrane (>97% NaCl rejection). The measured flux and salt rejection profiles were compared to those predicted by the CECP and SD models. Overall, the flux declined more (30–60%) for the NF90 membrane (contact angle: 50 ± 3°) compared to the NF270 membrane (10–55%, contact angle: 39 ± 2°) under similar hydrodynamic conditions. Moreover, fouling had more effects on NaCl rejection for the NF90 membrane (2–45% decline) compared to the NF270 membrane (10–30% decline). The decrease in NaCl rejection for the NF90 membrane was ascribed to CECP effects and declining flux. Contrary, CECP effects were less important for the NF270 membrane, and rejection declined due to reduction in flux as predicted by the SD model, indicating that CECP may not be predominant in membranes that poorly reject salts. Full article

Biological control employs beneficial microorganisms to suppress phytopathogens and mitigate the incidence of associated plant diseases. This study investigated the in vitro development and survival of Trichoderma spp. isolates derived from commercial formulations under different temperatures, pH levels, and sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations and with synthetic fungicides with distinct modes of action. Three isolates were analyzed: URM-5911 and TRA-0048 (T. asperellum) and TRL-0102 (T. longibrachiatum). The results revealed substantial variability among the isolates, with the optimal mycelial growth temperatures ranging from 24.56 to 29.42 °C. All the isolates exhibited broad tolerance to the tested pH (5–9) and salinity levels (250–1000 mM), with TRL-0102 demonstrating the highest salt resistance. The fungicide treatments negatively affected mycelial growth across all the isolates, with Azoxystrobin + Difenoconazole and Boscalid causing growth reductions of up to 50%. Notably, Boscalid enhanced conidial production more compared to the control (126.0% for URM-5911, 13.7% for TRA-0048, and 148.5% for TRL-0102) and decreased the percentage of inactive conidia to less than 10% in all the isolates. These results provide strategic information for the application of Trichoderma spp. in agricultural systems, supporting the selection of more adapted and suitable isolates for integrated disease management programs. Full article

This study presents the development of a TiO₂ nanowire-based electrochemical sensor for the selective and sensitive detection of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) under neutral pH conditions, with a particular focus on its application in analyzing plant stress. The sensor exhibited a linear detection range of 0–0.5 mM, a sensitivity of 0.0393 mA · mM⁻¹, and a detection limit of 2.8 μM in phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS, pH 7.4). This work’s main novelty lies in the systematic investigation of the relationship between TiO₂ nanostructure morphology, which is controlled by hydrothermal synthesis parameters, and the resulting sensor performance. Interference studies confirmed excellent selectivity in the presence of common electroactive species found in plant samples, such as NaCl, KNO₃, glucose, citric acid, and ascorbic acid. Real sample analysis using barley plant extracts grown under salt stress and treated with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles confirmed the sensor’s applicability in complex biological matrices, enabling accurate quantification of endogenously produced H₂O₂. Endogenous H₂O₂ concentrations were found to range from near-zero levels in control and Fe₃O₄-only treated plants, to elevated levels of up to 0.36 mM in salt-stressed samples. These levels decreased to 0.25 and 0.15 mM upon Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle treatment, indicating a dose-dependent mitigation of stress. This finding was supported by genome template stability (GTS) analysis, which revealed improved DNA integrity in Fe₃O₄-treated plants. This study takes an integrated approach, combining the development of a nanostructured sensor with physiological and molecular stress assessment. The urgent need for tools to detect stress at an early stage and manage oxidative stress in sustainable agriculture underscores its relevance. Full article