Search Results (36)

Concern over the presence of pharmaceutical waste in the environment has prompted research into the management of emerging organic micropollutants (EOMs). In response, sustainable technologies have been applied as alternatives to reduce the effects of these contaminants. This study investigated the capacity of filamentous fungi isolated from iron mine soil in the Amazon region to biodegrade the drug chloroquine diphosphate. An initial screening assessed the growth of four fungal strains on solid media containing chloroquine diphosphate: Trichoderma pseudoasperelloides CBMAI 2752, Penicillium rolfsii CBMAI 2753, Talaromyces verruculosus CBMAI 2754, and Penicillium sp. cf. guaibinense CBMAI 2758. Among them, Penicillium sp. cf. guaibinense CBMAI 2758 was selected for further testing in liquid media. A Box–Behnken factorial design was applied with three variables, pH (5, 7, and 9), incubation time (5, 10, and 15 days), and chloroquine diphosphate concentration (50, 75, and 100 mg·L⁻¹), totaling 15 experiments. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The most effective conditions for chloroquine biodegradation were pH 7, 100 mg·L⁻¹ concentration, and 10 days of incubation. Four metabolites were identified: one resulting from N-deethylation M1 (N4-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)-N1-ethylpentane-1,4-diamine), two from carbon–carbon bond cleavage M2 (7-chloro-N-ethylquinolin-4-amine) and M3 (N1,N1-diethylpentane-1,4-diamine), and one from aromatic deamination M4 (N1-ethylbutane-1,4-diamine) by enzymatic reactions. The toxicity analysis showed that the products obtained from the biodegradation of chloroquine were less toxic than the commercial formulation of this compound. These findings highlight the biotechnological potential of Amazonian fungi for drug biodegradation and decontamination. Full article

Heavy metal contamination, particularly lead (Pb) poisoning, is a significant public health issue worldwide. In Bangladesh, Pb contamination of water, soil, air, and food is detected alarmingly. Chronic exposure to Pb leads to severe health complications in the human body, including neurotoxicity, cardiovascular disease, developmental delays, and kidney damage. Research has established that there is “no safe level” of Pb exposure, as even minimal exposure can cause detrimental effects. Although existing physical and chemical methods are widely used, they come with limitations, such as high costs and the generation of toxic byproducts. As a green, sustainable alternative, the potential of probiotics as an effective biosorption agent has been explored to reduce Pb contamination in food, especially meat, while preserving its nutritional and sensory properties. This paper aims to integrate current knowledge from these two fields and highlight their capacity to decontaminate Pb-laden meat, the primary protein source in Bangladesh. The study also investigates optimal biosorption parameters, including temperature, pH, and exposure time, to enhance effectiveness. The proposed application of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in meat processing and packaging is expected to significantly lower Pb levels in meat, ensuring safer consumption. Full article

This study explores the bioaccumulation behavior of heavy metals (cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn)) in lavender (Lavandula spp.) cultivated under controlled greenhouse conditions to assess its potential in sustainable phytoremediation. The plants were grown in pots filled with either unpolluted soil or soil artificially enriched with cadmium, lead, or zinc at concentrations exceeding the normal (Cd 1 mg/kg d.w.; Pb 20 mg/kg d.w.; Zn 100 mg/kg d.w.), alert (Cd 3 mg/kg d.w.; Pb 50 mg/kg d.w.; Zn 300 mg/kg d.w.), and intervention (Cd 5 mg/kg d.w.; Pb 100 mg/kg d.w.; Zn 600 mg/kg d.w.) thresholds set for sensitive land use. A comparative analysis of two lavender varieties (lavender and lavandin) over a four-month period revealed an accumulation trend of Pb > Cd > Zn. Empirical modeling indicated that cadmium uptake followed a linear pattern, lead accumulation conformed closely to the Mitscherlich model, while zinc uptake did not align well with any of the tested models. Overall, the results emphasize the potential of lavender species in developing biomimetic approaches for heavy metal remediation and contribute valuable insights into sustainable soil decontamination practices. Full article

This review offers an in-depth analysis of soil contamination, discussing the origins, impacts, and remediation strategies, as well as the complex connections with interfacial chemistry. Interfacial chemistry plays a critical role in addressing soil contamination by governing the interactions between pollutants, soil particles, water, and remediation agents at phase boundaries (solid–liquid, solid–gas). Some key aspects include adsorption/desorption that controls pollutants binding to soil surfaces; chemical transformation which facilitates redox, hydrolysis, or catalytic reactions at interfaces to degrade contaminants; colloidal transport that affects the movement of nanoparticle-bound contaminants through soil pores; and techniques like soil washing, phytoremediation and permeable reactive barriers that can neutralize soil pollutants. The combination of interfacial chemistry and soil remediation techniques offers rich opportunities for improving predictive models of contaminant fate. Such approaches represent a paradigm shift from equilibrium-based remediation to dynamic process management. The review demonstrates how heterogeneous interfaces and molecular-scale dynamics dictate contaminant behavior. Furthermore, in addition to consolidating existing knowledge, the review also pioneers new directions by revealing how interfacial processes can optimize soil decontamination, offering actionable insights for researchers and policy makers. By understanding and manipulating interfacial chemical processes, scientists can develop more precise and sustainable cleanup methods. Full article

Phytolacca acinosa is a species native to Asia with significant ecological, economic, and medicinal importance. This study investigates its taxonomic and biological particularities, ecological adaptability, and applications in different fields. The problem addressed is the dual nature of P. acinosa, which is both a valuable plant resource and also has a negative impact on natural ecosystems. The methodology was based on a review of the scientific literature containing information on P. acinosa in order to evaluate its therapeutic properties, phytoremediation capacity, and impact on biodiversity. The results showed that P. acinosa represents a hyperaccumulator of heavy metals, offering significant potential for soil and water decontamination. Also, its bioactive compounds exhibit anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antioxidant properties, supporting its uses in traditional medicine. However, its role as an intermediate host for plant pests and pathogens and its invasive potential in areas outside its native range highlight its ecological risks. The main conclusion emphasizes the need for sustainable management strategies to harness the benefits of this species while minimizing its invasive capacity and highlighting its potential in biotechnological and environmental applications. Full article

Incessant urbanization and industrialization have resulted in several pollutants being increasingly produced and continuously discharged into the environment, altering its equilibrium, with a high risk for living organisms’ health. To restore it, new advanced materials for remediating gas streams, polluted soil, water, wastewater, groundwater and industrial waste are continually explored. Carbon-based nanomaterials (CNMs), including quantum dots, nanotubes, fullerenes and graphene, have displayed outstanding effectiveness in the decontamination of the environment by several processes. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), due to their nonpareil characteristics and architecture, when included in absorbents, filter membranes, gas sensors, etc., have significantly improved the efficiency of these technologies in detecting and/or removing inorganic, organic and gaseous xenobiotics and pathogens from air, soil and aqueous matrices. Moreover, CNT-based membranes have displayed significant potential for efficient, fast and low-energy water desalination. However, despite CNTs serving as very potent instruments for environmental detoxification, their extensive utilization could, paradoxically, be highly noxious to the environment and, therefore, humans, due to their toxicity. The functionalization of CNTs (F-CNTs), in addition to further enhancing their absorption capacity and selectivity, has increased their hydrophilicity, thus minimizing their toxicity and carcinogenic effects. In this scenario, this review aims to provide evidence of both the enormous potential of CNTs in sustainable environmental remediation and the concerning hazards to the environment and living organisms that could derive from their extensive and uncontrolled utilization. To this end, an introduction to CNTs, including their eco-friendly production from biomass, is first reported. Several literature reports on CNTs’ possible utilization for environmental remediation, their potential toxicity due to environmental accumulation and the challenges of their regeneration are provided using several reader-friendly tools, to better capture readers’ attention and make reading easier. Full article

Heavy metal and pesticide contaminations represent significant environmental and health hazards to humans and animals. Toxic heavy metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and copper (Cu) persist in the environment, bioaccumulating in beverages and food products from both natural and anthropogenic sources. Traditional remediation techniques, such as chemical precipitation and ion exchange, are effective but often costly and challenging to apply at a large scale. In recent years, grape pomace—a winemaking by-product rich in bioactive compounds—has emerged as a promising, low-cost biosorbent for the removal of such pollutants. Its high adsorption capacity, environmental friendliness, and availability make it a strong candidate for water and food decontamination processes. This study evaluates grape pomace and its biochar as sustainable biosorbents for heavy metal removal from water and soil, examining their adsorption efficiency, adsorption mechanisms, environmental benefits, advantages, limitations, and perspectives for future industrial-scale applications. Full article

Soil contamination with heavy metals (HMs) poses a significant environmental threat. Phytoremediation, a sustainable and eco-friendly emerging bioremediation approach, utilizes plants to remove, immobilize, or stabilize soil contaminants. This study examines the interactive effects of sulfur (S), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and olive mill wastewater (OMW) on HM uptake and the growth of maize (Zea mays L.) and mustard (Brassica juncea). Mustard exhibited superior dry matter (DM) yield (2.4 g/pot with 5% OMW), nutrient uptake, and tolerance to metal toxicity. The translocation factor (TF) and bioaccumulation factor (BF) for maize and mustard plants vary significantly with different treatments. For maize, the S 2T/ha treatment achieved the highest TF and BF for cadmium (Cd), while 5% OMW led to maximum chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn) uptake. In mustard, 5% OMW treatment resulted in the greatest bioconcentration factor (BCF) for cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), whereas sulfur application yielded the highest TF for Cd. The 5% OMW treatment overall enhanced HM uptake most significantly. Lower sulfur application rate (1 ton/hectare) increased the availability Cd and Pb, boosting plant growth and nutrient uptake. For instance, 1 ton/hectare of sulfur elevated Cd availability to 24.102 mg·kg⁻¹ in maize and 58.705 mg·kg⁻¹ in mustard. EDTA treatments further improved metal bioavailability, increasing Cd levels in maize (10.09 mg·kg⁻¹) and mustard (7.78 mg·kg⁻¹). Mustard’s superior tolerance and nutrient efficiency identify it as a promising candidate for phytoremediation of HM-contaminated soils in arid regions. Innovative treatments with sulfur, EDTA, and olive mill wastewater significantly enhance soil decontamination and plant growth. Full article

Currently, increasing anthropogenic pressure and overexploitation expose soils to various forms of degradation, including contamination, erosion, and sealing. Soil contamination, primarily caused by industrial processes, agricultural practices (such as the use of pesticides and fertilizers), and improper waste disposal, poses significant risks to human health, biodiversity, and the environment. Common contaminants include heavy metals, mineral oils, petroleum-based hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Remediation methods for contaminated soils include physical, physicochemical, chemical or biological approaches. This review aims to specify these methods while comparing their effectiveness and applicability in different contamination scenarios. Biochemical methods, particularly phytoremediation, are emphasized for their sustainability, effectiveness, and suitability in arid and semiarid regions. These methods preserve soil quality and promote resource efficiency, waste reduction, and bioenergy production, aligning with sustainability principles and contributing to a circular economy. The integrated phytoremediation–bioenergy approaches reviewed provide sustainable and cost-efficient strategies for environmental decontamination and green development. Special attention is given to the use of lignin in bioremediation. This work contributes to the existing knowledge by outlining priorities for the selection of the most appropriate remediation techniques under diverse environmental conditions, providing a comprehensive overview for future developments. Full article

Biosurfactants are amphiphilic molecules capable of reducing the surface tension of water and forming emulsions between immiscible liquids. These versatile molecules find applications in different industrial sectors, standing out in environmental applications, such as the bioremediation agents of contaminated environments. Bioremediation is an emerging sustainable method of controlling the degradation of waste. The present study carried out a bibliometric analysis, reviewing all research published in the SCOPUS database up to 2023, focused on producing biosurfactants from sunflowers with applications in this sustainable method of waste degradation. Using sunflowers to produce biosurfactants proved an ecological, sustainable, and economical alternative to conventional substrates. The results showed that only the seed husks, the oil derived from the seed, and the sunflower stems were used to produce biosurfactants, emphasizing oil as the most used raw material, probably due to its rich linoleic acid content. The preliminary selection detected only 12 articles that addressed the subject under analysis. According to these studies, the tested biosurfactants showed high potential for application in sustainable environmental bioremediation processes and were able to decontaminate soil, water, and liquid effluents. The bibliometric analysis was performed with the VOSviewer software to evaluate the quality of the publications and, above all, to show a more comprehensive scenario of the subject based on the following bibliometric indicators: the most productive journals, publications by country, the most cited articles, the most recurrent keywords, and most productive institutions. These insights will undoubtedly help scientists to develop new and sustainable practices of waste degradation and contribute to bioremediation research using biosurfactants from sunflowers. By showcasing the environmental benefits and practicality of sunflower-derived biosurfactants, this study contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable bioremediation, fostering innovative and eco-friendly waste management solutions. Full article

The Cd hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. exhibits a cosmopolitan character and proven high and differentiated efficiency. This suggests the possibility of optimizing its Cd phytoremediation capacity and applicability through searching among remote ecotypes/genotypes. However, the extensive studies on this hyperaccumulator have been limited to Far East (Asian) regions. Pioneer pot experiments on the Middle European ecotype of S. nigrum within a concentration range of 0–50 mg kg⁻¹ Cd in soil revealed its Cd phytoremediation capacity to be comparable to Asian ecotypes but with a fundamentally different Cd tolerance threshold. While biomass of the Asian ecotypes declined sharply at C_soil ≈ 10 mg kg⁻¹ Cd, in the Middle European ecotype, a gradual mild biomass decrease occurred within the whole C_soil ≈ 0–50 mg kg⁻¹ Cd range with no toxic symptoms. Its adapted A50 variety was obtained from the seeds of first-generation plants grown in soil with C_soil ≈ 50 mg kg⁻¹ Cd. In this variety, Cd tolerance, accumulation performance, and all physiological parameters (chlorophyll, carotenoids, RuBisCO, and first- and second-line defense anti-oxidant activity) were significantly enhanced, while cell damage by ROS was considerably lesser. This makes the Middle European ecotype and its adapted variety A50 particularly useful to sustainable decontamination of heavily polluted “hot spots” in degraded post-industrial areas. Full article

Due to the large number of areas contaminated with TPH, there is significant interest in biological remediation technology research, offering a comprehensive and sustainable approach to soil decontamination and health recovery at the same time. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of remediating TPH-contaminated soil (6120 mg kg⁻¹) using Lotus corniculatus along with a microorganism consortium (GTC-GVT/2021) isolated from historic TPH-contaminated sites. This study evaluated the removal of TPH and soil health recovery through changes in soil nutrient content, soil enzymatic activity, and the microbiological community. The growth of L. corniculatus was reduced in TPH-contaminated soil, particularly affecting root biomass by 52.17%. Applying inoculum positively affected total plant biomass in uncontaminated (51.44%) and contaminated (33.30%) soil. The GTC-GVT/2021 inoculum significantly enhanced the degradation of TPH in contaminated soil after 90 days by 20.8% and in conjunction with L. corniculatus by 26.33% compared to the control. The soil enzymatic activity was more pronounced in TPH-contaminated soil treatments, and in most cases, the presence of L. corniculatus and inoculum led to a significantly higher soil enzymatic activity. The cultivation of L. corniculatus and the inoculum resulted in an increased concentration of inorganic P, NH₄⁺, and water-soluble phenols in the soil, while no rise in NO₃⁻ was observed. Full article

The traditional aviary decontamination process involves farmers applying pesticides to the aviary’s ground. These agricultural defenses are easily dispersed in the air, making the farmers susceptible to chronic diseases related to recurrent exposure. Industry 5.0 raises new pillars of research and innovation in transitioning to more sustainable, human-centric, and resilient companies. Based on these concepts, this paper presents a new aviary decontamination process that uses IoT and a robotic platform coupled with ozonizer (O₃) and ultraviolet light (UVL). These clean technologies can successfully decontaminate poultry farms against pathogenic microorganisms, insects, and mites. Also, they can degrade toxic compounds used to control living organisms. This new decontamination process uses physicochemical information from the poultry litter through sensors installed in the environment, which allows accurate and safe disinfection. Different experimental tests were conducted to construct the system. First, tests related to measuring soil moisture, temperature, and pH were carried out, establishing the range of use and the confidence interval of the measurements. The robot’s navigation uses a back-and-forth motion that parallels the aviary’s longest side because it reduces the number of turns, reducing energy consumption. This task becomes more accessible because of the aviaries’ standardized geometry. Furthermore, the prototype was tested in a real aviary to confirm the innovation, safety, and effectiveness of the proposal. Tests have shown that the UV + ozone combination is sufficient to disinfect this environment. Full article

Phytoremediation is an eco-friendly technology that utilizes plants and plant–microbe interactions to remove a wide spectrum of organic and inorganic pollutants from contaminated environments such as soils, waters and sediments. This low-impact, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective methodology represents a valuable alternative to expensive physical and chemical approaches, characterized by secondary pollution risks, and is gaining increasing attention from researchers and popular acceptance. In this review, the main mechanisms underlying the decontamination activity of plants have been clarified, highlighting the environmental remediation in fertility and soil health. Studies have illustrated the high potential of phytoremediation coupled with green and sustainable biocatalytic processes, which together represent a non-polluting alternative for the conversion of plant biomass into renewable resources. The convenience of this technology also lies in the valorization of the bio-wastes towards biofuels, energy purposes and value-added products, contributing to an effective and sustainable circular approach to phyto-management. The strategy proposed in this work allows, with the use of totally green technologies, the recovery and valorization of contaminated soil and, at the same time, the production of bioenergy with high efficiency, within the framework of international programs for the development of the circular economy and the reduction of greenhouse carbon emissions. Full article

Grazing systems have great potential to promote animal welfare by allowing animals to express natural behaviours, but they also present risks to the animals. Diseases caused by gastrointestinal nematodes are some of the most important causes of poor ruminant health and welfare in grazing systems and cause important economic losses. Reduced growth, health, reproduction and fitness, and negative affective states that indicate suffering are some of the negative effects on welfare in animals infected by gastrointestinal nematode parasitism. Conventional forms of control are based on anthelmintics, but their growing inefficiency due to resistance to many drugs, their potential for contamination of soil and products, and negative public opinion indicate an urgency to seek alternatives. We can learn to deal with these challenges by observing biological aspects of the parasite and the host’s behaviour to develop managements that have a multidimensional view that vary in time and space. Improving animal welfare in the context of the parasitic challenge in grazing systems should be seen as a priority to ensure the sustainability of livestock production. Among the measures to control gastrointestinal nematodes and increase animal welfare in grazing systems are the management and decontamination of pastures, offering multispecies pastures, and grazing strategies such as co-grazing with other species that have different grazing behaviours, rotational grazing with short grazing periods, and improved nutrition. Genetic selection to improve herd or flock parasite resistance to gastrointestinal nematode infection may also be incorporated into a holistic control plan, aiming at a substantial reduction in the use of anthelmintics and endectocides to make grazing systems more sustainable. Full article