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Biochar derived from the pyrolysis of biomass is recognized for its carbon sequestration capacity. By adding physical or chemical activation steps, its properties can be enhanced, resulting in activated or modified biochar. However, investigating the possible toxic effects for safer application is necessary. In this study, we aimed to assess the ecotoxicological effects of extracts from biochars prepared from sugarcane bagasse activated with zinc chloride and heat treated at temperatures ranging from 300 to 1000 °C. Using Artemia salina as an indicator of toxicity, we observed variation in mortality ranging from 27.5 % to 100 % as the temperature varied between 1000 and 300 °C. The leachate from the sample prepared at 300 °C, which had the highest zinc content, presented an LC50 of 0.53 w/v. Phytotoxicity tests with Lactuca sativa revealed that extracts from biochars prepared at lower temperatures presented greater phytotoxicity, with reductions in relative germination, relative average radicle growth and the germination index. These results highlight the need to assess the ecotoxicological risks of activated biochar with zinc chloride. The sensitivities of Artemia salina and Lactuca sativa are promising for detecting these effects, suggesting that they are effective approaches for assessing environmental safety. These findings not only broaden our understanding of the adverse effects of activated biochar but also guide safe and sustainable practices for its future application.

Abstract The quest towards a low carbon economy and to achieve the SDG 7 of access to a clean, affordable and modern energy for all has led to numerous studies that seek to examine the determinants of clean energy adoption. Despite the numerous studies previously conducted that have sought to explain the clean energy transition, the role that health facilities play in promoting clean energy use at the household level remains to be explored. This study investigates the effect of health care facilities on households’ energy adoption using survey data from Ghana and ordinary least squares (OLS) estimation techniques. The study further examines the different effects of different types of health facilities on clean energy adoption. The results show that the presence of a health facility in a community has positive effects on the likelihood of choosing cleaner energy sources for cooking at the household level. Furthermore, lower-level health facilities tend to have a bigger effect on clean energy adoption compared to higher level facilities such as hospitals and clinics. Robustness analyses confirm these findings. The pathways through which this relationship potentially occurs and the implications for increasing adoption of clean energy fuels are discussed.

Abstract This study examined the influence of socio-economic factors on the adoption of improved cookstoves (ICSs) and identified barriers to their dissemination in Wereta district, Amhara, Ethiopia. A structured cross-sectional approach was employed, surveying 308 households through questionnaires and interviews. Key socio-economic factors such as income level, family size, education, and age were found to significantly affect ICS adoption (p 0.05). The primary barriers to ICS adoption included limited awareness, high costs, and age-related factors. Addressing these challenges by targeting the significant socio-economic determinants is crucial for facilitating the transition from traditional to improved cookstoves. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, NGOs, research organizations, and manufacturers, highlighting potential areas for targeted intervention to enhance ICS adoption in the community.

This study aimed to obtain the energy recovery potential of the biogas produced from anaerobic digestion (AD) of the sludge from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), including the use of biochar as an additive for substrate co-digestion and catalyst for methane production. We carried out the following steps: chemical–physical laboratory analyses of sludge samples; the building, operation, and monitoring of an experimental prototype of a batch bioreactor of 2.5 L for the AD of the sludge (with and without the addition of charcoal); qualitative measurements of biogas; the study of charcoal morphology; and the projection of useful energy generation from the AD sludge after treatment. A study on the economic viability and avoided greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions was performed based on the experimental results. The substrate showed alterations in all the physicochemical parameters evaluated after AD, such as a reduction of 35% in the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) analysis; the experiment carried out using biochar showed positive results regarding the speed of CH4 production and a greater potential for energy recovery. Enterprises from 2000 kW onwards would present an internal rate of return (IRR) equal to or higher than the minimum attractiveness rate (MAR) of 15%. The USD 95.28/MWh tariff presented economic feasibility for the studied scenarios. WWTPs that produce enough sludge to generate power of 2000 kW would need to process the waste of 117,200 inhabitants with charcoal addition and 136,000 without charcoal. It would be possible to avoid the emission of 2307.97 tCO2/year (2000 kW). According to the results obtained, this study revealed that using alternative energies based on anaerobic digestion and biochar can generate positive results regarding methane production, and its application as an energy source in a WWTP proved to be economically viable at a specific level of power production.

Abstract Purpose During breast cancer surgery, the use of dyes such as indigo carmine, methylene blue, or indocyanine green (ICG) for targeting axillary lymph nodes (ALNs) under ultrasound guidance can result in rapid diffusion, complicated tissue differentiation, and disruption of staining. LuminoMark™, a novel ICG-hyaluronic acid mixture, can provide real-time visualization and minimize dye spread, thereby ensuring a clear surgical field. The aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of LuminoMark™ for targeting ALNs in patients with breast cancer. Methods A total of 13 patients with breast cancer (mean age 56.5 years; 92.3% female) and suspicious ALNs underwent targeted axillary surgery (TAS) with activated charcoal and LuminoMark™ injected into the LNs in the surgical field. The clinicopathological variables of the patients and diagnostic performance were assessed. The LNs injected with LuminoMark™ were examined for consistency with sentinel LNs (SLNs) and non-SLNs, as well as with charcoal-tattooed LNs. Results The identification of SLNs took approximately 15.6 min from the start of skin incision, and it required 25.6 and 17.7 min, for charcoal-tattooed and LuminoMarkTM-illuminated LNs, respectively. The identification rate was 92.3% with charcoal and 100% with LuminoMark™. The concordance rate between LuminoMark™ illumination and SLNs was higher than that between charcoal tattooing and SLNs. The concordance rate between the two methods was 76.9% (n = 10). Three months after surgery, the charcoal tattoo remained visible on the skin; however, LuminoMark™ was not visible. Conclusion Although both methods demonstrated high detection rates, the rate was higher using LuminoMark™. As LuminoMark™ was administered directly into LNs, this improved the accuracy of identifying LNs.

Background: With the growth of industries and advancing civilization, controlling air pollution from both human and natural sources has become a major concern. Styrene, a volatile organic compound (VOC), is recognized as a hazardous and toxic atmospheric contaminant. Methods: In this study, the removal of Styrene vapors using ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles coated on activated carbon (AC) was investigated and the styrene removal capacity of AC-ZnO and AC-TiO2 catalysts was compared. The coated adsorbents were characterized using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. All laboratory-scale experiments were conducted at ambient temperatures. Styrene concentrations of 50, 100, and 300 ppm were tested at an input flow rate of 0.03, and 0.06 m3/h. Results: The AC-TiO2 catalyst had a styrene removal efficiency (RE) of 81%, as compared to 74% efficiency for the AC-ZnO catalyst, this is at a flow rate of 0.06 m3/h and a concentration of 50 ppm. The results indicated that increasing styrene concentrations reduced breakthrough time but increased adsorption capacity. Also, by increasing the inflow rate, the adsorption capacity decreased. At all concentrations and flow rates, the adsorption capacity of the AC-TiO2 catalyst was higher than the AC-ZnO catalyst. Conclusion: According to the results, it can be concluded that the AC-TiO2 catalyst is more effective in the removal of Styrene vapor from the air as compared to the AC-ZnO catalyst.

Sediment cores were collected from Wrong (WL) and Lenore (LL) lakes in boreal central Yukon Territory, Canada, spanning circa 6000 years. Analyses of pollen, charcoal, magnetic susceptibility, levoglucosan, and down-scaled paleoclimatic data reveal the vegetation history and character/drivers of Holocene fire disturbance. Boreal forest has persisted in the region for millennia, with a regional mid-Holocene expansion of Picea mariana (Mill.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb. followed by expansion of Pinus contorta var. latifolia Douglas ex Loudon Engelm. ex S. Watson in the latest Holocene. The shortest reconstructed fire return intervals (FRIs; ca. 110–125 years) occurred in the mid-Holocene, coincident with the development of highly flammable Picea-dominated forest and warm, dry summers that were characterized by elevated June-August 500 hPa geopotential height anomalies (JJA Z500) and associated with an eastward/intense Aleutian Low. In the late-Holocene, FRI increased to ca. 240 years at WL and 280 years LL. Drivers of this change include regional cooling and increased precipitation, with a westward/weaker Aleutian Low position delivering more moisture to interior Yukon. Longer FRIs allowed for greater fuel accumulation between fires, enhancing fire size/severity. While higher fire frequency is noted in the mid-Holocene and increased fire size/severity in the late-Holocene, recent changes in Yukon fire disturbance suggest that the fire regime may soon lie outside the natural range of mid- and late-Holocene variability.

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the in vitro effect of a charcoal-containing dentifrice with different toothbrush stiffness on enamel. Methods Four main groups were applied: distilled water, conventional fluoridated toothpaste (Colgate® Total® 12 Clean Mint Toothpaste), charcoal toothpaste (Colgate® Total® Charcoal Toothpaste) and whitening toothpaste (Colgate Total® Advanced Whitening Toothpaste). Three subgroups for each toothpaste were further included according to the toothbrush bristles’ stiffness (soft, medium, and hard). Enamel specimens were subjected to 1,250 and 2,500 cycles of brushing using toothbrushing simulation machine. The average surface roughness change (ΔRa) in nanometer (nm) was measured to estimate the changes following the brushing simulation model. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests analyzed the data. Results The type of toothpaste and the bristles’ stiffness were determinant factors in increasing the ΔRa value (P =

Abstract Escalations in wildfire activity are of significant global concern, particularly within vulnerable wetland ecosystems integral to natural carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation. Our understanding and management of future wildfire activity may be better contextualised through the study of historic and ancient fire records, independent of human influence. Methods of study include ‘geothermometry’ - approximating ancient fire intensity from temperature-dependent changes in the chemistry of fossil charcoal. Though well established in their relation to experimental charcoalification, these methods still fail to quantify the true intensity of ancient fires, as a measure of energy release. As a result, their applicability, and contributions to the characterisation of modern fire activity, remain uncertain. Here, we present a novel measure of wildfire energy release, as a proxy for true intensity, through the co-application of cone calorimetry and Raman spectroscopy of charcoal. By applying a range of wildfire heat fluxes to variable peatland fuel mixes, this research demonstrates the complexity in correlating fire behaviour and charcoal microstructure. Further statistical analyses suggest a correlation between spectroscopic results, measures of CO and CO2 release, and fire severity. This offers a principal measure of ancient wildfire intensity, consistent with modern practices in wildfire modelling, monitoring, and management.

Seedling establishment is often a critical bottleneck in the revegetation of mine tailings and similar substrates. Biochar and deactivated yeast are potential sustainable materials that could be used in this context as seed coatings to aid in seedling establishment. We conducted a greenhouse study on biochar and deactivated yeast use as seed coatings, assessing germination, establishment, and early growth of white clover (Trifolium repens) and purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea). Coated seeds were applied to a mine tailing, a coarse granitic sand, and potting soil mix substrates; seedling establishment and growth were monitored over 75 days. Biochar coatings enhanced the seedling establishment of Trifolium, with biochar and biochar plus yeast coatings giving the best results. In some cases, these effects persisted throughout the experiment: biochar coatings resulted in a ~fivefold increase in Trifolium biomass at harvest for plants in the potting soil mix but had neutral effects on sand or tailings. Biochar seed coatings also enhanced Dalea germination in some cases, but the benefits did not persist. Our results indicate that biochar-based seed coatings can have lasting effects on plant growth well beyond germination but also emphasize highly species-specific responses that highlight the need for further study.

Abstract The production of açaí seed waste from the commercial and extractive exploitation of the Euterpe oleraceae palm tree is a serious problem that contributes to environmental contamination and production of greenhouse gases, a fact that suggests the need for an environmentally correct destination for this waste produced on a large scale. To this end, this study was conducted to evaluate the potential of acaí seed biochar (BCA) in mitigating the toxic effects of copper in Brazilian mahogany plants, analyzing biometrics and gas exchange. The experimental design was in randomized blocks, with five blocks, in a 4 × 3 factorial scheme, corresponding to the control (without Cu) and three concentration of Cu (200, 400, and 600 mg Cu kg−1) and three levels of BCA (0%, 5% and 10%) proportional to the amount of soil in the pots, totaling sixty experimental units. The use of 5% BCA in soils contaminated with up to 200 mg kg−1 Cu promoted biometric increase (height, diameter, number of leaves), maintaining gas exchange (photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, internal carbon and internal/external carbon), and consequently, maintaining water use efficiency in plants under abiotic stress, resulting in plant growth. The findings of this study allow us to indicate the use of biochar in remediating and improving the growth of plants grown in copper-contaminated soils. The production of biochar from açaí seeds is an ecologically sustainable alternative, because it reduces its accumulation on public roads and contributes to reducing soil pollution. In the context of public policies, biochar production could be a source of income in the context of the bioeconomy and circular economy practiced in the Amazon, because it is produced in large quantities.

Abstract Background Patients tend to favor the whitening mouthwashes as they are easily applied and affordable. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of hydrogen peroxide versus charcoal-based whitening mouthwashes on color, surface roughness, and color stability of enamel. In the current study, the whitening mouthwashes used have the ability to stop future stains due to their white seal technology. Methods A total of 21 permanent central incisor teeth extracted for periodontal reasons were used in the present study. Teeth roots were sectioned and crowns were mounted in self-cured acrylic resin blocks. The specimens were randomly divided into three groups (n = 7) according to the tested whitening mouthwash: Control group ‟ DW” (Distilled water), ‟OW” group: Peroxide-based mouthwash (Colgate Optic White) and ‟CP” group: Charcoal-based mouthwash (Colgate® Plax Charcoal). Regarding ‟OW” and ‟CP” groups, the specimens were immersed in 20 ml of the tested mouthwash in each corresponding group for 1 min twice daily (morning and evening) for a total of 12 uninterrupted weeks. Color change was assessed using VITA Easyshade spectrophotometer and surface roughness (Ra) was measured using a white light interferometer. The specimens were stained using black tea solution and color was measured after 24 h of immersion for assessment of color stability. Results Color change results revealed that both whitening mouthwashes were able to restore color comparable to the control group with no significant difference between them. Regarding surface roughness, the control group showed the highest mean Ra value, followed by ‟OW” group while ‟CP” group showed the lowest mean Ra value. While color stability after staining, the control group showed a significantly higher value than the ‟CP” and ‟OW” groups. Conclusion Hydrogen peroxide and charcoal-based whitening mouthwashes improve the color of enamel with no adverse effect on the surface roughness. Both whitening mouthwashes were beneficial to maintain the color after staining and prevent future enamel stains.

Mozambican miombo woodlands (MWs) have been experiencing severe anthropogenic threats, recognized to have an impact on plant species distribution, occurrence, diversity, and rarity patterns. Based on 3725 0.1 ha plots distributed across the country's MWs, this study aimed to assess the species rarity and commonness, protection status, and availability of commercial timber in MWs under varied environmental conditions. Results show that, out of the 515 tree and shrub species found, 45 % were rare, while just 10 % were highly protected. Nine of the 112 commercial miombo species were not observed, and 15 were rare. Commercial-sized trees of the top nine desired species were extremely rare, some species had only 1 tree per 20 ha and stem forms unsuitable for sawmilling. Selective overharvesting has also affected trees with no minimum felling diameter. Brachystegia spiciformis, B. boehmii, and Julbernardia globiflora stood out among the few timber species with commercially viable populations. MWs in the semi-arid ecoregion have lower species richness, fewer commercially viable populations, and a higher number of poorly protected species (51 %). The rainy ecoregion has the highest percentage of poorly protected species (61 %). Based on the results obtained, it was recommended that (1) timber harvesting should be restricted to the humid ecoregion, prohibited for the timber species that were either absent or rare, and halted for the top nine desired species; (2) except B. spiciformis, B. boehmii, and J. globiflora, MWs should preferably undergo a forest closure period corresponding to at least one cutting cycle; (3) to ensure long-term viability, a minimum harvestable density for commercial-sized trees should be determined for each species.

ABSTRACT The wood carbonization with high moisture content reduces the yield, prolongs the carbonization time and results in charcoal with low mechanical strength. Considering this, the reuse of carbonization gases as a source of thermal energy becomes a potential alternative for reducing moisture content quickly and feasibly. The objective of this study was to evaluate the artificial drying of logs using gases from the carbonization system of a furnace and a drying chamber. The drying evaluation was conducted in duplicate using a 35 m³ galvanized metal square dryer and a furnace with a useful volume capacity of 16.8 m³. The average gas intake temperature for drying was 150°C. The eucalyptus logs were divided into three diameter classes (8-14 cm; 14-22 cm; 8-22 cm). The electricity consumption of the dryer was approximately 49.4 kW per ton of wood (dry mass). The highest thermal efficiency was achieved in the drying of 814 cm diameter class logs. The utilization of carbonization gases proved to be effective in reducing wood moisture in all diameter classes, showing potential for large scale utilization.

Abstract Introduction Activated charcoal-based products have been marketed as teeth whiteners and are widely used by the population without any quality control or studies on their impact on dental structure. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of brushing with powdered coconut-based products on the roughness and color of human dental enamel. Material and method To this end, 40 enamel samples with 6mm diameter were stained with coffee for 36 hours. Initial roughness readings (Ra and Rz) and color (L* a * b*) were performed. The specimens were divided into 4 groups (n = 10): Control Group: Colgate Total 12 toothpaste; CBP Group: Activated Coconut Charcoal Powder, Black Pearl Tooth Powder; CAC Group: Activated Coconut Charcoal Powder, Activated Charcoal Tooth Whitening Powder; Group BS: Sodium bicarbonate powder. The specimens were submitted to abrasive cycles for brushing simulation (945, 4.050 and 49.275 cycles), and upon completion of these cycles, new measurements of color and roughness were taken. A 1-factor ANOVA analysis was performed to analyze the color variation and roughness data, followed by the Tukey test. Result There was no statistical difference between the initial and final roughness in any of the groups studied. For the color data, there was no statistical difference for the L* coordinate for any group. For the coordinates a * and b* there was a difference for all groups between the initial period and all the others. Conclusion Even after the one-year period brushing simulation, the surface roughness of the enamel of none of the products studied was affected. The color of the enamel after the accomplishment of the abrasive cycles occurred in a similar way in the experimental groups based on activated coconut charcoal and conventional toothpaste.

Contamination of leachate due to excessive rainwater infiltration into landfill sites presents a significant environmental and public health concern. This study aims to address the adverse impacts of cadmium (Cd) pollution in leachate, specifically its risks to human health and the environment. To address this issue, the research investigates the use of natural adsorbents to mitigate agricultural waste. Straw and cassava peel, abundantly available in Indonesia due to the country's substantial rice and cassava production, were selected as potential adsorbents. The findings of this study are important for guiding pollution control measures and evaluating community activities near pollution sources, particularly focusing on Cd pollution originating from Putri Cempo in Jatirejo Village, Mojosongo, Jebres, Surakarta. The research shows that cassava peel waste is highly effective in adsorbing cadmium metal levels in leachate, with a significant total effectiveness (EF%) rating of 0.3144. Additionally, the study identifies the optimal burning temperature for activated charcoal derived from cassava peel as 600°C, resulting in the highest EF% value of 0.515152.

Several samples of fossilized wood (charcoal) were collected in the Papayita archaeological site, in coastal Ecuador. This carbonized material was encountered inside a layer of volcanic ash that sealed the site. The ash-sized tephra was produced by a sub-Plinian eruption from the Guagua Pichincha volcano contemporaneous with the late Valdivia phases during the Formative Period. Each of the samples was sectioned into 10 to 15 subsamples and examined under a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), producing high-resolution images with a large depth of field where the anatomical structures and their geochemical composition were vividly discernible. Each sample corresponds to organic matter of vegetable origin, that is, carbonized wood in the form of small rocks, whose appearance is that of carbonized woody tree trunks and or branches. We were able to observe vascular structures, specifically bundles of xylem. It was possible to conclude that these tracheids underwent a physicochemical transformation typical of petrification processes, leaving the molds intact. This allowed us to determine structural elements that support the identification of the group of plants to which these samples belong, through the methodology of comparison of the anatomical components of current species. The fossilized wood structures are three-dimensional and present characteristics that correspond to the group of higher plants, Gymnosperms, of the Podocarpaceae group. Among them, quadrangular tracheids, circular hole-shaped pits in the vascular system, and absent resin canals stand out. Central to the analysis is the presence of transverse parenchyma, which can be ascertained to correspond to vegetation from climates that are temperate or cold.

Background: Congo red (CR), a harmful dye present in water, requires effective removal methods. This study investigated the utilization of dry green pea husk (DGPH) and its charcoal (CGPH) as economical and eco-friendly adsorbents. Methods: Various factors, including contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration, and temperature, were investigated to assess their impact on the adsorption process. Also, different models (isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamics) were compared to describe the adsorption phenomenon. Results: Equilibrium adsorption was achieved within 30 minutes for both adsorbents. The optimum pH for CR removal was determined to be 2. The adsorption capacity decreased by increasing the adsorbent dosage, whereas it increased by increasing the initial dye concentration. The Langmuir isotherm model demonstrated the best fit for DGPH, while the Freundlich model exhibited the best fit for CGPH. The pseudo-second-order model displayed a superior fit for both adsorbents. To assess the spontaneity and feasibility of the adsorption process, thermodynamic parameters including enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy were computed. The results indicated that the adsorption of CR on DGPH was endothermic and favorable at lower temperatures, whereas the adsorption on CGPH was exothermic and favorable at higher temperatures. The negative values of Gibbs free energy for the CGPH adsorbent confirmed the spontaneous nature of the adsorption process. Conclusion: The study establishes that green pea husk and its charcoal are effective and environmentally friendly alternatives for the removal of CR from water.

Abstract Although addition of pyrolyzed organic materials (biochars) to soil generally results in increased growth and physiological performance of plants, neutral and negative responses have also commonly been detected. Toxicity of organic compounds generated during pyrolysis, sorbed by biochars, and then released into the soil solution, has been implicated as a possible mechanism for such negative effects. Conversely, water-soluble biochar constituents have also been suggested to have “hormetic” effects (positive effects on plants at low concentrations); however, no specific compounds responsible have been identified. We investigated the relative phytotoxicity—and possible hormetic effects—of 14 organic compounds common in aqueous extracts of freshly produced lignocellulosic biochars, using seed germination bioassays. Of the compounds examined, volatile fatty acids (VFAs: acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, caproic, and 2-ethylbutyric acids) and phenol, showed acute phytotoxicity, with germination-based ED50 values of 1–30 mmol L−1, and 2-ethylbutyric acid showed ED50 values of 0.1–1.0 mmol L−1. Other compounds (benzene, benzoic acid, butanone, methyl salicylate, toluene, and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol) showed toxic effects only at high concentrations close to solubility limits. Although phytotoxic at high concentrations, valeric and caproic acid also showed detectable hormetic effects on seedlings, increasing radicle extension by 5–15% at concentrations of ~ 0.01–0.1 mmol L−1. These data support the hypothesis that VFAs are the main agents responsible for phytotoxic effects of lignocellulosic biochar leachates, but that certain VFAs also have hormetic effects at low concentrations and may contribute to positive effects of biochar leachates on early plant development in some cases. Graphical Abstract

Fire disturbances are increasing under global climate change and ecological transformations of forests are occurring. Specifically, shifts from productive closed-canopy feather moss forests to low-productivity open-canopy lichen (Cladonia spp.) woodlands have been observed in boreal forests of eastern Canada. It has been hypothesized that high severity of fires would be the cause of this change, but this is difficult to validate a posteriori on mature forest stands. Because charcoal properties are affected by fire severity, we have put forward the hypothesis that the amount and physicochemical properties of charcoal (C, N, H, O, ash, surface area) would be different and indicative of a greater fire severity for open-canopy forests compared to closed canopy ones. Our hypothesis was partly validated in that the amount of charcoal found on the ground of closed-canopy forests was greater than that of open-canopy forests. However, the physicochemical properties were not different, albeit a greater variability of charcoal properties for open canopy stands. These results do not allow us to fully validate or reject our hypothesis on the role of fire severity in the shift between open and closed canopy stands. However, they suggest that the variability in fire conditions as well as the amounts of charcoal produced are different between the two ecosystem types. Furthermore, considering the role that biochar may play in improving soil conditions and promoting vegetation restoration, our results suggest that charcoal may play a role in maintaining these two stable alternative ecosystem states.

The surficial and textural features of a pyrogenic carbonaceous material (charcoal) was modulated with acidic Piranha solution (i.e., 1:3 30% H2O2 to H2SO4) to produce a redox-active adsorbent for the simultaneous adsorption and reduction of Cr(VI) in groundwater sample. The optimal modification time of 60 s is required to transform the raw charcoal to an efficacious redox-active adsorbent (MCh). The MCh surface was imbued with electron donor moieties that is required for the direct conversion of the adsorbed Cr(VI) to Cr(III). The rate parameters for Cr(VI) adsorption by the MCh were initial concentration dependent. The GW system variables had minimal influence on the performance of the MCh, which showed that the MCh is capable of effective performance within broad process variables. The direct conversion of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) on the MCh surface was affirmed. The treatment of Cr(VI) contaminated GW in a microcosm real-life system was highly effective over the period of study (40 hours). The residual Cr(VI) concentration in the hourly sample collection ranged between undetectable (i.e.,

Relevance. The need to develop a technology for the disposal of solid and liquid industrial waste to obtain organic-inorganic fertilizer. The growth of industrial production is accompanied by an increase in waste. In modern society, considerable attention is paid to the problem of processing man-made waste to obtain demanded products. Phosphogypsum is the main by-product of the production of fertilizers and phosphoric acid, it is a multi-tonnage waste, its storage leads to the withdrawal of vast territories from circulation. Liquid waste from pig farms also needs to be processed into organic fertilizers. Aim. To study the process of heat treatment of phosphogypsum in the presence of a reducing agent to obtain an alkalizing reagent. This will make it possible to further organize processing liquid and solid agricultural and industrial waste and produce domestic organic fertilizers Methods. Heat treatment of phosphogypsum in the presence of a reducing agent, followed by the preparation of an aqueous suspension to obtain an agent that reduces the acidity of livestock effluents. The samples of heat-treated phosphogypsum obtained during the study were characterized by X-ray phase analysis, electron microscopy. Suspensions with different pH values were obtained on their basis. Results and conclusions. The authors have studied heat treatment of large-tonnage inorganic waste of the chemical industry – phosphogypsum. It was found that the suspension of phosphogypsum heat-treated in the presence of a reducing agent has increased values of the hydrogen index, which can be used to obtain an alkalizing reagent for treating agricultural waste. The authors revealed the optimal technological modes of obtaining a reagent having the maximum pH value of the suspension: the amount of the introduced reducing agent is 0.16 mol/mol CaSO4, the heat treatment temperature is 1000 °C.

Many efforts have been made to convert cocoa pod husk waste into charcoal briquettes, but they have not yet met the established Indonesian National Standard (SNI). Therefore, steps are needed to produce charcoal briquettes that comply with these standards. One approach that can be taken is by blending cocoa pod husk with wood charcoal since wood charcoal has a sufficiently high calorific value that can enhance the quality of the charcoal briquettes. This research aims to find the optimal conditions for making briquettes from cocoa pod husk and identify the impact of briquette composition and carbonization time on values such as moisture content, ash content, calorific value, and burning rate of the produced briquettes. The research process includes carbonization, grinding, sieving, adding a binder, and drying, followed by testing the briquettes’ characteristics. This research was conducted by comparing the mass composition of cocoa pod husk charcoal and wood charcoal at ratios of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75, with carbonization times of 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 hours. The best analysis results, in accordance with the Indonesian National Standard (SNI), were obtained at a carbonization time of 2 hours with a composition of 50:50 (cocoa pod husk:wood charcoal). The values include a moisture content of 5.944%, ash content of 7.83571%, calorific value of 4388.5 kcal kg -1 , and burning rate of 0.0034 g second -1 . The length of the carbonization process has a significant impact on the characteristics of the resulting briquettes, including moisture content, ash content, calorific value and burning rate. The longer the carbonization process, the lower the moisture content and ash content, and the higher the heating value and burning rate.

This research studies the production of charcoal from a by-product of viticulture such as the vine pruning remains of vine (vine shoots). During this study, several carbonisation tests were carried out in an electric muffle furnace where vine shoot samples were tested at different temperature ranges (150–450 °C) and with test durations of 2 h and 3 h. From these tests, the mass yields and carbon yields were studied, as well as the characterisation of the chemical composition of the resulting charcoals, obtaining the maximum results of the fixed carbon content of up to 80.4%. Subsequently, the tests’ energy consumptions were also recorded in order to optimise the amount of grammes of carbon per kWh of energy used. The average value obtained in the trials was 18.55 g of carbon per kWh of energy used in the carbonisation process. Finally, special emphasis was placed on studying the sustainability of this charcoal through the net balance of CO2 eq emissions. To this end, the CO2 eq emissions associated with the energy consumption of the trials and how, through the use of this waste to produce 10–12 g of charcoal, the negative net emission values of up to −522.74 g of CO2 eq were achieved were evaluated. This demonstrates the possibility of charcoal production with a zero-carbon footprint. This acts as evidence of the possibility of zero carbon footprint charcoal production, a key innovative aspect that helps to achieve greater sustainability in industrial sectors with a high impact on the region.

This work aimed to understand how the energy released by short laser pulses can produce different effects in carbon targets with different allotropic states. The IR pulse laser ablation, operating at 1064 nm wavelength, 3 ns pulse duration, and 100 mJ pulse energy, has been used to irradiate different types of carbon targets in a high vacuum. Graphite, highly oriented pyrolytic graphite, glassy carbon, active carbon, and vegetable carbon have exhibited different mass densities and have been laser irradiated. Time-of-flight (TOF) measurements have permitted the evince of the maximum carbon ion acceleration in the generated plasma (of about 200 eV per charge state) and the maximum yield emission (96 μg/pulse in the case of vegetal carbon) along the direction normal to the irradiated surface. The ion energy analyzer measured the carbon charge states (four) and their energy distributions. Further plasma investigations have been performed using a fast CCD camera image and surface profiles of the generated craters to calculate the angular emission and the ablation yield for each type of target. The effects as a function of the target carbon density and binding energy have been highlighted. Possible applications for the generation of thin films and carbon nanoparticles are discussed.

Woodfuel production and consumption have been a concern for multiple stakeholders involved in household energy use, deforestation, and climate change. While research into the underlying decision-making process is growing, it remains insufficient. Such a study offers opportunities to develop policies that enable diversification of household energy consumption and livelihood options away from woodfuel use. Policymakers often lack an understanding of factors correlated with households' participation in woodfuel production. Therefore, this study examined the correlation between household participation in woodfuel production and factors that influence households' participation in woodfuel production in dryland areas of Ethiopia. Data were collected from 1,114 purposively selected woodfuel-producing and non-producing households through household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. The sample included 775 participant households and 339 non-participant households. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model. The results revealed that drought and related shocks are the main factors that forced households to participate in woodfuel production. The model results indicated that age, education, landholding, livestock holding, production asset value, ownership of improved cook stoves, number of years lived in the area, distance from the forest, access to forest extension, and institutional membership are statistically significant factors that negatively influence household participation in woodfuel production. On the other hand, household expenditure and drought occurrence positively and significantly influence the participation of households in woodfuel production. The findings of the study suggest that sustainable management and utilization of dryland forest resources require considering socioeconomic, demographic, institutional, and environmental factors correlated with households' decisions to participate in woodfuel production. This can be achieved through sound institutional setups and policy frameworks in the sector.

This study presents a sustainable and versatile approach to synthesize graphene-like structures from bamboo waste for application in photoelectrochemical (PEC) devices. Due to its high cellulose content, bamboo, a locally available and renewable resource, is a perfect precursor for producing graphene-like materials. The synthesis process involves bamboo waste pyrolysis, followed by treatments with different solvents: ultrapure water (UPW), NaOH, and green tea extract. Characterization techniques confirmed the successful transformation of bamboo waste into carbon-rich, graphene-like materials with varying surface properties. The electrochemical characterization showed that the graphene-like materials could transfer electrons very well with a high current response compared to charcoal as a precursor. PEC evaluations revealed their potential as photoanodes, exhibiting efficient light absorption and charge carrier separation. This research emphasizes the significance of bamboo waste as a valuable precursor for eco-friendly graphene-like materials, offering a sustainable pathway for developing efficient PEC devices and green energy technologies.

Non-contact direct reduction (NDR) is an alternative technique in iron and steelmaking. Direct reduced iron production (DRI) uses it. To further harness the metallurgical and operational capabilities of the process for its suitability as an alternative feed in the blast furnace process, there is a need to study the effect of the reduction parameters on the weight loss, crack propagation level, gas porosity, iron whisker growth, and morphological characteristics of the DRI. Thus, this paper attempts to utilize the NDR process using commercially acquired goethite-hematite ore in a carbon-monoxide atmosphere from wood charcoal under specified isothermal conditions, with a reduction temperature range from 570, 800, and 1000 °C. The effect of reduction parameters on weight loss, crack propagation, iron whisker growth, and morphological properties of the DRI was investigated using standardized reduction reaction practices under a nitrogen gas atmosphere with a flow rate of 120 mL. Mineralogical and morphological analyses of the direct reduced iron (DRI) and charcoal were performed using XRF and SEM/ED analysis. Proximate and ultimate analyses of the reductant were performed to ascertain their physical and chemical properties. The results show that reduction parameters tremendously influence the weight loss, crack propagation, gas porosity level, and metallurgical quality of the DRI. The reduction degree and swelling extent of the DRI also increase with crack propagation and iron whisker growth. Thus, the overall reduction mechanism still follows the usual stepwise chronological reduction order (Fe2O3 → Fe3O4 → FeO → Fe) regardless of temperature, with ash layer control being the reaction rate control. The NDR technique shows no carbon deposition in the DRI metal matrix. It indicates that this approach can serve as a viable alternative for DRI production in the ironmaking process.

Charcoal business, production, and sustainability are all under the control of government regulations. In Tanzania, the entire charcoal value chain employs approximately two million people. As a result, there are unreliable records for registered actors, and it is difficult to accurately quantify the annual amount of charcoal production and revenue collected by the Tanzanian government. Supporting functions are legally provided activities and services to support charcoal actors to formalize their business, including participation in the formulation of forest laws, market infrastructure development, training, access to information, and financial services. Supporting business functions available for charcoal actors such as producers, wholesalers, and retailers to facilitate the formalization of the charcoal business in Tanzania. This study was conducted to determine the supporting functions that are important to charcoal actors in Tanzania to formalize their activities. A total of 107 charcoal actors were administered a semi-structured questionnaire using the multiple sampling technique, which involved 31 wholesalers and 42 retailers trading in two of the largest markets, one in Dar es Salaam and the other in Zanzibar. Both markets depend on charcoal production in Handeni district, located in Tanga Region. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that formalizing the charcoal sector in Tanzania necessitates public-private partnerships (22.9%), financial services and legal environments (21.9%), and market infrastructures (15.6%). We concluded that the charcoal business needs the collaboration of the government with non-government organizations to share resources such as forest staff, vehicles, and incentives to motivate the participation of actors in the training of the legal procedure of charcoal business management, the formulation of registered charcoal groups or associations, and the establishment of charcoal selling centres. Moreover, the development of forest laws should be participatory to involve charcoal business stakeholders to have a reasonable cost of issuing licenses and other permits.

Biochar, which is the product of biomass pyrolysis, has been suggested as a feed supplement to improve performance in livestock systems and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The aim of the current study was to investigate in vitro and in vivo potential of biochar to favourably modify rumen fermentation (e.g., an increase in total Short Chained Fatty Acid (SCFA) concentration and a change in SCFA profile), reduce methane emission and increase sheep growth performance. Four concentrates were produced with biochar inclusion of 0, 10, 23 and 46 g/kg DM. The experimental diets for the in vitro experiments consisted of straw and concentrate in a 60:40 ratio and included measurements of total gas and methane (CH4) production, pH, ammonia nitrogen, SCFA, and microbial assays (total bacteria and methanogenic archaea). Two in vivo experiments were performed where the animals received ad libitum forage with 0.4 kg concentrate daily. Experiment 1 investigated the daily DM intake of sheep while experiment 2 investigated daily growth rate and CH4 emission of lambs. The inclusion of biochar had no impact on in vitro total gas production (ml/200 mg DM substrate) (P = 0.81) and CH4 production (ml/200 mg DM substrate) (P = 0.93). In vitro total SCFA concentration increased (P

The groundwater (GW) of Bangladesh is predominantly contaminated with arsenic (As) and iron (Fe) which has a bad impact on human health. We tried to remove these elements with easily available mahogany-fruit (Swietenia mahagoni) husk charcoal (MHC) and banana (Musa acuminata) peduncle charcoal (BPC). The trial was implemented with 3 replications throughout the research. The sampled GW contained 0.06 mg As L−1 and 4.83 mg Fe L−1. Firstly, the pH was 3, 5, 7, and 9 with a 250 mg L−1 dose. The MHC removed almost 91.05 % of As at pH 5.0, and BPC removed almost 86.67 % of As at pH 9. However, in the case of Fe, the MHC removed almost 100 % at pH 7 and 9; and BPC removed the same quantity at pH 5, 7, and 9. Secondly, the contact times were 0, 5, 10, 20, and 40 min with a 250 mg L−1 dose at pH 7.0. The maximum removal of As and Fe was 100 % with MHC and BPC at 5 min. The pseudo-first-order kinetic, pseudo-second-order kinetic, and intra-particle diffusion models were considered. The result showed that the rate of adsorption followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Lastly, the adsorbent doses were 0, 50, 150, 250, and 350 mg L−1. At pH 7, the highest removal of As was 79.47 % and Fe removal was 100 % at 350 mg L−1 dose for MHC. Similarly, the values were 79.29 % and 100 % for the same at 350 mg L−1 dose of BPC, indicating these charcoal are good for heavy metals removal.

Abstract Background In low- and middle-income countries countries, millions of deaths occur annually from household air pollution (HAP), pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), and HIV-infection. However, it is unknown whether HAP influences PTB risk among people living with HIV-infection. Methods We conducted a case-control study among 1,277 HIV-infected adults in Bukavu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (February 2018 – March 2019). Cases had current or recent (3h/day and ≥2 times/day and ≥5 days/week were more likely to have PTB (aOR 1·36; 95%CI 1·06-1·75) than those spending less time in the kitchen. Time-weighted average 24h personal CO exposure was related dose-dependently with the likelihood of having PTB, with aOR 4·64 (95%CI 1·1-20·7) for the highest quintile [12·3-76·2 ppm] compared to the lowest quintile [0·1-1·9 ppm]. Conclusion Time spent cooking and personal CO exposure were independently associated with increased risk of PTB among people living with HIV. Considering the high burden of TB-HIV coinfection in the region, effective interventions are required to decrease HAP exposure caused by cooking with biomass among people living with HIV, especially women.

Radiocarbon dating by AMS accelerated ion mass spectrometry method, used from 2012 at IFIN-HH-Măgurele, offered recently the scientific frame for an interdisciplinary approach, from archaeologic and archaeometric perspectives, applied to wood samples. The first AMS results, issued in 2021 on six samples from Măguricea Branului archaeological site, have suggested a chronology around the 13th century AD, the differences being explained on terms detailed in this paper. The latter four samples, collected in the next archaeological campaign, gave very different dates. The difficulties experienced with these four samples driven us to develop new lab treatment, aiming carbonization of wood. Even so, the samples from 2022 could not be dated in a helpful manner, with parameters as terminus post quem, time-width, apparent ages. The paper could be of interest to archaeologists taking wood samples for AMS dating.

Due to the increase in human population, there is an ever-increasing demand for energy in different sectors which leads to environmental problems like climate change, rise in temperature, and global catastrophes. Cooling systems have become a very essential element in recent decades for mankind. The present system focuses on the design and fabrication of a counter-flow humidification setup which uses biomass-based charcoal as the packing material. Air velocity and water flow rate have been varied along with the density of charcoal. Output parameters such as a change in pressure (ΔP), Coefficient of performance (COP), evaporation rate (ER), humidification efficiency (HE), specific cooling capacity (SCC), and energy consumption (EC) are evaluated. Performance parameters obtained for charcoal are compared with that of standard Celdek Packing. Through experiments, it is found that humidification efficiencies for Celdek and charcoal packing are 77.45% and 57.40% respectively. The overall coefficient of performance obtained is 1.41 for charcoal and 3.17 for Celdek packing. Among the three densities which were considered, charcoal packing with a density of 400 kg/m3 exhibited higher performance with respect to COP, HE, ER, and SCC. Similarly, a water flow rate of 0.4 lpm gave a maximum performance and 0.7 lpm gave the least. It is concluded that charcoal can be considered one of the highly efficient biomass-based materials contributing to sustainable energy related to cooling applications.

A low-cost portable water filter having a capacity of 15 l for an average small family size was designed, developed, and fabricated for canal water potability. The volume and thickness of filter media were computed and found to be 4,544 cm3 and 5.6 cm, respectively. The provision for injection of sodium hypochlorite solution was made for the removal of bacterial contaminants and calibrated as 1.5 mL for 15 l of water to maintain the required level of residual chlorine content (2–5 ppm) which was supplied through the pumping unit. The adsorbed contaminants on the filter media could be removed by placing it in 3 l of boiled water for 2 min. The experiment was conducted to determine the settlement duration of suspended solids in canal water and found to be 8 h, thereafter allowing it for filtration. The performance of the developed filter was evaluated by analyzing water quality parameters of the canal water before and after filtration. The values of biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), MPN, TDS, pH, and residual chlorine of filtered water were found to be within the permissible limit. The cost of the developed filter was estimated to be INR 1,300 which is economically viable, technically feasible, and easily portable. HIGHLIGHTS A portable water filter of height 34.4 cm, and diameter 33.2 cm having a 15-l capacity was developed and evaluated.; Physicochemical and biological water quality parameters of filtered water were within the permissible limit.; Filter media and filter body can be exposed to sunlight (UV rays) for disinfection and detachable for washing.; Supplies hygienic water with low operation and maintenance costs.;

When compared to natural graphite, artificial graphite has advantages such a longer cycle life, faster charging rates, and better performance. However, the process of producing it, which frequently uses coal, raises questions about the impact on the environment and the depletion of resources. Eco-friendly, wood-based graphite must be developed in order to solve these problems. This study assessed and investigated the characteristics of charcoals derived from bamboo and oak which were utilized to produce graphite. After heating to 1500 °C at 10 K/min, 86.87 wt% of oak charcoal and 88.33 wt% of bamboo charcoal remained, indicating a yield of more than 85% when charcoal was graphitized. Depending on the species of wood, different-sized pores showed different shapes as the graphitization process advanced, as revealed by SEM surface analyses. The carbon atoms seen in the XRD crystal development changed into graphite crystals when heated to 2400 °C, and the isotropic peaks vanished. Bamboo charcoal has a higher degree of crystallinity than other wood-based charcoals, such as oak charcoal, which is made up of turbostratic graphite, according to Raman spectroscopic research. Lithium-ion batteries employ bamboo charcoal as their anode material. At this point, the values for soft carbon were determined to be 196 mAh/g and for hard carbon to be 168 mAh/g at a current density of 0.02 A/g.

This study outlines the development of a cost-effective, extended-release febuxostat (FEB) tablet using activated charcoal as an adsorbent to enhance drug release. FEB, a BCS Class II drug, presents formulation challenges due to low solubility and high lipophilicity. We evaluated eight formulations with varying FEB-to-charcoal ratios using FTIR and DSC for physical interactions and followed USP standards for overall assessment. The optimal 1:0.25 FEB-to-charcoal ratio demonstrated a consistent 12 h zero-order release pattern. In vivo studies indicated a significantly extended plasma profile compared to immediate-release tablets. The optimal tablets demonstrated acceptable hardness and disintegration times. This innovative approach enhances patient compliance, improves bioavailability, and reduces production costs, offering a promising solution for controlled FEB delivery.

Biochar refers to any material that has transformed into an amorphous, graphite-like structure as a result of the thermochemical conversion of organic materials. Incorporating biochar into soil contributes to mitigating the effects of climate change through the sequestration and storage of carbon. There are numerous methods for producing biochar, including pyrolysis, gasification, hydrothermal carbonization, and flash carbonization. The choice of technology largely depends on the intended use of the biochar and the type of biomass available. However, traditional production processes often face environmental challenges, especially in developing countries. This study introduces several traditional charcoal-burning techniques used around the world and provides an overview of modern industrial biochar production methods. International organizations have developed standards for determining the quality parameters of biochar and have proposed guidelines for its application in soil. According to the available literature, biochar presents a promising opportunity for advancing sustainable agriculture and mitigating climate change.

The steel industry accounts, according to the International Energy Agency, for ~6.7% of global CO2 emissions, and the major portion of its contribution is from steelmaking via the blast furnace (BF) route. In the short term, a significant reduction in fossil CO2 emissions can be achieved through the introduction of bio-coal into the BF as part of cold bonded briquettes, by injection, or as part of coke. The use of bio-coal-containing residue briquettes was previously demonstrated in industrial trials in Sweden, whereas bio-coal injection was only tested on a pilot scale or in one-tuyere tests. Therefore, industrial trials replacing part of the pulverized coal (PC) were conducted. It was concluded that the grinding, conveying, and injection of up to 10% of charcoal (CC) with PC can be safely achieved without negative impacts on PC injection plant or BF operational conditions and without losses of CC with the dust. From a process point of view, higher addition is possible, but it must be verified that grinding and conveying is feasible. Through an experimentally validated computational fluid flow model, it was shown that a high moisture content and the presence of oversized particles delay devolatilization and ignition, lowering the combustion efficiency. By using CC with similar heating value to PC, compositional variations in the injected blend are not critical.

Fresh bread has high potential for creating food waste that increases every year, because of its relatively short shelf life of 3-4 days after leaving the baking process. One way to extend the shelf life of bread is by using charcoal. Nipah fronds contain lignin elements that are good for charcoal. This study aims to determine the characteristics of charcoal from nipah fronds, the effectiveness of charcoal's ability to extend the shelf life of fresh bread, the effect of burning time, particle size and adsorbent mass on the storage time of fresh bread, the effect of the ratio of nipah frond adsorbent to commercial silica gel on the storage time compared to quality requirements of fresh bread of SNI 01-3840-1995 2013. Charcoal characterization includes quality tests based on SNI No. 06-3730-1995 on technical charcoal, namely water content and iodine absorption parameters and also Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) test. Based on the results of the study, charcoal from nipah frond waste has characteristics of water content that have met the quality standards of SNI 06-3730-1995 and in iodine absorbency only samples with pyrolysis time of 4 hours that have met the quality standards of SNI 06-3730-1995. Giving variations in charcoal burning time, mass and particle size of adsorbent powder affects the shelf life and quality requirements of fresh bread. Adsorbent packaging using teabags and silica gel paper can extend the shelf life of fresh bread up to 27 hours compared to those without adsorbent.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), as a non-destructive method, is widely used for the identification of compounds and the characterization of molecular structures. In order to characterize the changes in the chemical structure of charcoal under different combustion temperatures, and thus to provide a theoretical basis for the formation of fusinite in coal, plant samples (charcoal) from modern wildfires with different degrees of combustion were selected to quantify their chemical structures using FTIR. The results shown that the sample reflectance was positively proportional to the combustion temperature. The sample No. 1 with maximum combustion temperature had the highest degree of combustion, which was measured to reach 518 ℃. The aromatic structure was dominated by tri-substituted benzene rings in all samples except the highest combustion sample No. 1, but dehydrocondensation occurred with increasing combustion temperature, resulting in a reduction of tri-substituted content of benzene rings to 20.5%. The tetra-substituted content was elevated due to dehydroaromatization of the naphthenic structure, while the change in the penta-substituted content was related to the cyclization of aliphatic chain and the decarboxylation of benzene ring. With the increase of combustion temperature, the CC content gradually increased due to the formation of aromatic hydrocarbons or the shedding of molecular side chains after dehydrogenation of cycloalkanes, reached 32% in the sample No. 1. The content of C－O first decreased and then increased. In the sample No. 1, the content of alkyl ether and aryl ether was the lowest, and the content of phenolic hydroxyl group was the highest, which may be the generation of phenolic substances by thermal breakage of ether bond under high temperature combustion. The CO content increased and then decreased to as low as 5.6% in the sample No. 1, which was due to the poor stability of the bond. Due to the influence of combustion temperature, the content of fatty substances varied greatly, with an overall gradual increase in methylene content, a decrease in methyl group, and an increase in branching degree. There were five types of hydrogen bonds in the samples, with ether-oxygen hydrogen bonds predominating in samples affected by low temperature (>55%). Cyclic hydrogen bonds and hydroxyl-N hydrogen bonds appeared in sample No. 1, while the content of ether-oxygen hydrogen bonds decreased significantly to 13.2%, which was attributed to the reduction of oxygen-containing functional groups caused by the increasing temperature. Comparison of reflectance and FTIR characteristics of fusinite in coal revealed that the characteristics of fusinite (semifusinite) in coal were very similar to those of charcoal, which might be produced mainly by wildfires. These changes indicated the effect of combustion temperature on the chemical structure in charcoal, reflecting the process of organic molecular structure changed with temperature in charcoal, and providing a theoretical basis for the evolution of organic matter and the formation of fusinite in coal.

Objective(s): A narrow margin between the therapeutic and toxic doses of digoxin can result in an increased incidence of toxicity. Since digoxin has an enterohepatic cycle, multiple oral doses of absorbents like montmorillonite may be useful in the treatment of digoxin toxicity.Materials and Methods: In this study, 4 groups of 6 rats received intraperitoneal digoxin (1 mg/kg), and half an hour later, distilled water (DW) or oral adsorbents, including montmorillonite (1 g/kg), activated charcoal (1 g/kg) (AC) alone or in combination in the ratio of 70:30. Half of the mentioned doses were also gavaged at 3 and 5.5 hr after digoxin injection. The serum level of digoxin, biochemical factors, and activity score were assessed during the experiment. Three control groups only received DW, montmorillonite, or AC.Results: All adsorbents were able to significantly decrease the serum level of digoxin compared to the digoxin+DW group (P

Characterization of different organic wastes is essential to reveal alternative nutrient sources useful for agriculture. The objective of this work was to characterize a variety of organic wastes generated in the Brazilian Amazon in order to identify nutrient sources for potential use as organic fertilizers. Samples of nine different organic wastes from agricultural, livestock and forestry activities were collected in the state of Pará, Amazon region, Brazil. These samples were characterized using reference methods for analyses of organic fertilizers. Palm oil mill boiler ash was highly concentrated in P, K, Ca, and Mg and also highly alkaline, being considered a promising material for use as fertilizer and lime in acid soils. Palm oil mill decanter cake was the best N source; it also contained relevant amounts of K, S, and Zn. Cattle manure was more concentrated in N and oil palm empty fruit bunch in K. Residual eucalyptus charcoal was high in Ca but also in Na and Al. Oil palm fruit fiber, oil palm fruit shell, wood sawdust of the pile top, and wood sawdust of the pile slope were consistently poor in nutrients. All wastes presented low concentrations of As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Hg, Pb, and Se. This study identified organic wastes differing in prevalent nutrients for potential use as organic fertilizers. Such a difference could be explored in further studies by combining two or more wastes with complementary prevalent nutrients in order to better meet the nutritional requirements of different crops in the Brazilian Amazon.

Charcoal plays a relevant role in developing countries, with potential to contribute to the energy needs as a cheaper and carbon-friendly alternative. In Brazil, eucalyptus-charcoal has gained attention as an input for metal-steel industries, mostly supplied by small and medium forest producers. Those commonly use rudimentary charcoal-kilns, characterized by higher greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reduced productivity and economically unsustainable impacted by their reduced financial management. In order to fulfill this gap, a simplified financial planning model and an economic analysis of a less polluting charcoal productive system, called kilns-furnace system, were performed, also comparing to traditional charcoal-kilns. A differentiated cost of capital pricing model was also proposed, adjusted to bioenergy projects in emerging markets. Results showed that kilns-furnace system presented the best financial indicators, with greater free cash flow capacity, shorter reimbursement period, reduced charcoal production cost, better return on invested capital and a financial resilience even under pessimistic conditions. With its risk-return ratio verified, kilns-furnace larger insertion may be an attraction for charcoal producers, with probable increased long-term economic sustainability when compared to traditional kilns. The proposed cost of capital pricing model opened a new perspective for its calculation in developing countries, and should be used by producers, companies, and government in investment decision and as a guidance for financing lines.

In this research, a brick kiln integrated with pollutant emission control technology was designed and applied in order to produce charcoal from Eucalyptus Globules wood. The batch operation carbonization of wood biomass was undertaken in a 1.25 m3 volume brick kiln. A wet-packed scrubber was designed and constructed by filling gravels in a depth of 40 cm with aggregate sizes of 48–60 mm, 27–33 mm and 16–20 mm from the bottom to the top respectively aiming to treat emission from the charcoal-producing unit. The characteristics of the charcoal produced were determined to be composed of 9% moisture content, 1.5% ash content, 38% charcoal yield and a heating value of 27.53 MJ/kg. On the other hand, the wet scrubber integrated into a brick kiln was found to remove Hydrocarbons, CO2 and CO by 97.8%, 98.5% and 99% respectively, which makes it efficient and practical way of controlling the gasses released during producing of charcoal.

The duration and maximum combustion temperature of vegetation fires are important fire properties with implications for ecology, hydrology, hazard potential, and many other processes. Directly measuring maximum combustion temperature during vegetation fires is difficult. However, chemical transformations associated with temperature are reflected in the chemical properties of charcoals (a by-product of fire). Therefore, charcoal could be used indirectly to determine the maximum combustion temperature of vegetation fires with application to palaeoecological charcoal records. To evaluate the reliability of charcoal chemistry as an indicator of maximum combustion temperature, we studied the chemical properties of charcoal formed through two laboratory methods at measured temperatures. Using a muffle furnace, we generated charcoal from the woody material of ten different tree and shrub species at seven distinct peak temperatures (from 200°C to 800°C in 100°C increments). Additionally, we simulated more natural combustion conditions by burning woody material and leaves of four tree species in a combustion facility instrumented with thermocouples, including thermocouples inside and outside of tree branches. Charcoal samples generated in these controlled settings were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to characterize their chemical properties. The Modern Analogue Technique (MAT) was employed on FTIR spectra of muffle furnace charcoal to assess the accuracy of inferring maximum pyrolysis temperature. The MAT model temperature matching accuracy improved from 46% for all analogues to 81% when including ±100°C. Furthermore, we used MAT to compare charcoal created in the combustion facility with muffle furnace charcoal. Our findings indicate that the spectra of charcoals generated in a combustion facility can be accurately matched with muffle furnace-created charcoals of similar temperatures using MAT, and the accuracy improved when comparing the maximum pyrolysis temperature from muffle furnace charcoal with the maximum inner temperature of the combustion facility charcoal. This suggests that charcoal produced in a muffle furnace may be representative of the inner maximum temperatures for vegetation fire-produced charcoals.

Fires play a significant role in ecosystems, exerting a profound influence on climate, vegetation, and geochemical cycles, while being reciprocally affected by these factors. The reconstruction of past fire events serves as a valuable window into understanding environmental changes over time. To investigate the history of ancient fires on the Eastern Coast of China, we conducted the first charcoal analysis on a loess profile of Shengshan Island (East China Sea). Along with other biological and geochemical proxies, we successfully reconstructed the ancient fire dynamics and elucidated their driving mechanisms in this region since the Late Pleistocene. Our initial findings revealed a peak in charcoal concentration during the 60-50 ka period, but after calibrating for sedimentation rate, the concentration significantly decreased. Fire activities remained weak during 50-30 ka, likely due to the scarcity of combustible materials. Between 30-12 ka, fires were frequent in the early period, while gradually diminishing during the later stage. Dry climate and dense vegetation likely attributed to frequent fires in early period, while some extreme events (e.g., sudden change in temperature) may have decreased the fire frequency in later period. The Holocene (began ~12 ka) evidenced the most frequent fire events as a high charcoal concentration was recorded, likely caused by human activities. After comparing our findings with other paleoecological records from surrounding areas, we confirmed the accuracy of our reconstruction of ancient fires. This reconstruction captures not only local shifts but also broader regional changes. Overall, our study highlights the importance of calibrating sedimentation rate in charcoal profiles, while also contributing to an enhanced understanding of environmental changes along the Eastern Coast of China since the Late Pleistocene.

Salt stress is presently a major environmental concern, given the huge number of soils affected by the presence of dissolved salts. Therefore, it is necessary to find solutions, preferably nature-based ones, to deal with this problem. In this study, biochar, a product made from plant biomass residues through the process of pyrolysis, was tested to alleviate salt stress on lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plants. Six different concentrations of NaCl were tested: 0, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mM with and without the addition of 5% (w/w) biochar. Biochar ability to mitigate salinity damage was assessed by means of both biometric (fresh weight), physiological (chlorophyll content), and biochemical (i.e., electrolyte leakage, total antioxidant power, total soluble proteins, free amino acids, and mineral content) parameters. The experiment lasted four weeks. The results showed that NaCl has a negative effect from the concentration of 100–200 mM and that biochar was to some extent effective in mitigating the negative effects of salt on plant physiology; nevertheless, biochar failed to counteract Na accumulation. Similarly, biochar did not influence the content of free amino acids in lettuce leaves, but enhanced the expression of several parameters, such as total antioxidant power, fresh weight, chlorophyll content, total soluble protein, K content, although only clearly evident in some cases. Overall, the present study showed that biochar is a viable solution to counteract the damage caused by high salt concentrations on plant growth.

Five Matured Noiler chickens 3 months old weighing 3kg±120g were used for the experiment. The birds have fasted for 16 hours without food but with a supply of fresh cool water. The birds were slaughtered and dressed conventionally. The breast meat was excised within one-hour post-mortem and used for the preparation of Asun using charcoal and oven smoking. The breast meats were cut into fillets of average weight without bone; the fillets were spiced, rubbed with vegetable oil, and smoked using charcoal and oven to an internal temperature of 720C for 20 minutes with regular turning. The result shows a significant difference (p0.05) in color, aroma, and texture while flavor, juiciness, and overall acceptability differ. There was a significantly different (p>0.05) in WHC, cooking loss, and cooking yield. Preparation of Asun using charcoal and oven smoking contributed to the nutritional component except for the moisture content. The cholesterol, SFA, MUFA, PUFA, and amines were also increased. The value obtained shows that charcoal and oven-smoked Noiler meat Asun is safe for consumption and has no negative effect, also impacts positively on both the physical and organoleptic properties of the prepared product and therefore, recommended for the preparation of Asun using Noiler meat.

Solid waste management (SWM) is one of the biggest concerns of society and agricultural waste is generated in vast amounts. In this study removal of Cu and Cr from wastewater using chemically modified apple peels was studied by following batch sorption experiments. Effects of metal concentration, adsorbent dose, pH, temperature and contact duration on the adsorption of Cu & Cr were investigated by using atomic adsorption spectrophotometer (AAS). SEM & EDX analysis of the adsorbents were recorded to study the morphology of the prepared adsorbents. Qmax value of apple peels is 25 for Cr and 22 for Cu, while for apple peel charcoal it is 33 for Cr and 47 for Cu, for treated apple peels Qmax is 50 for Cr and 52 for Cu adsorption. The data was processed using pseudo first, second order kinetic and intraparticle diffusion. Results depicted that the calculated adsorption capacities (qe cal) were found to be close to the experimental values (qe cal) by following pseudo-second-order kinetics. The applicability of the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms was tested. Results showed that the Langmuir model is best fitted on adsorption data because regression factor R2 values are good for the Langmuir model. HIGHLIGHTS This study focuses on efficient removal of Cr and Cu from wastewater using solid waste.; These prepared adsorbents are eco-friendly and non hazardous.; Maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) up to 50 for Cr and 52 for Cu for treated apple peels is observed.; Calculated adsorption capacities (qe cal) were found to be close to the experimental values (qe cal) by following pseudo-second-order kinetics.;