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Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) are widely used in the food industry for applications such as printing inks, additives, adhesives, and processing aids for food additives. Recently, the migration of MOH from food contact paper and board into foods has raised public health concerns. In this study, a total of 110 food contact paper and board samples, including baking and cooking paper (23), baking cups (28), food packaging bags (22), lunch boxes (8), party plates (26), and straws (3) were evaluated to quantify the content and short-term migration levels of MOH. The MOH were separated into mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH)/polyolefin oligomeric saturated hydrocarbons (POSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) via a validated on-line liquid chromatography-gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection (LC-GC-FID) technique. The coating materials of the sample products comprised polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and silicone. The effects of the coating materials on the content and migration of MOH/POSH were evaluated. Quantitative analysis of the MOH in the samples showed that the MOSH/POSH and MOAH content varied widely, ranging from 16 to 5626 mg kg -1 for MOH, regardless of the coating materials. Short-term migration of MOSH/POSH was observed only in samples with polyolefinic coatings, such as polyethylene and polypropylene, in experiments conducted at 25 °C for 10 min, although the extent of MOAH migration for all samples was at the trace level. The migration of MOSH/POSH was detected within the range of 0.93 to 62.3 μg L -1 in 22 samples, and the migration of MOAH was detected within the range of 0.80 to 2.6 μg L -1 in only 4 samples. These results demonstrate that although the short-term migration potential of MOH is generally negligible, the migration of MOSH/POSH into wet fatty foods can be accelerated by polyolefinic coatings, even within a very short time.

Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) are known to be mixtures of non-identified substances, which can migrate from, inter alia , recycled food packaging into food products. Such substances may have carcinogenic potential, which leads to a need to avoid their migration into food. In this article, we investigate the possible use of food simulants and model substances to simplify migration approaches. Tenax and Sorb-Star were chosen as simulant media. To stage the action of known components as a replacement for the migration of MOH, 16 single substances, including n -alkanes and aromatic compounds, were used. Kinetic studies were carried out at a maximum of 60°C with contact times of up to 14 days in touching contact with a medium or in gas-phase transfer to it. The results demonstrated that migration was predominantly a function of temperature, time and contact type, but it was also dependant on the molecular weight and polarity of the substances. Due to their low polarity, alkanes showed higher migration to the lipophilic food simulants than did pure aromatics without alkylation. Additionally, alkylated aromatics represent mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) more realistically. In contrast to Tenax in the gas-phase transition, Tenax in touching contact may lead to overestimated values at higher temperatures. Migration values for Sorb-Star are in similar regions for both contact types. However, the values of the touching contact experiments were slightly higher than those of the gas-phase transfer. The results for Sorb-Star and Tenax with transport solely over the gas phase are also in good agreement. Sorb-Star generally represents an optimal simulant for chunky foods, whereas Tenax seems a good simulant for food types with a high contact surface. Temperatures up to 40°C are appropriate for most types of migration experiments, whereas 60°C should only be used as an option for experiments with Sorb-Star.

To determine the occurrence of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) in food contact papers in China, and to investigate the potential sources of MOH contamination, a total of 159 food contact papers and raw materials were analysed by off-line solid-phase extraction-gas chromatography flame ionisation detection (SPE-GC-FID) and a GC-MS method. The migration of MOH from food contact papers into Tenax, olive oil or 50% ethanol under the worst foreseeable conditions of use was determined. The results indicated that the occurrence of MOH in China is of a potential health risk concerning the migration of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) which were detected in 82.6% and 50.4% of samples, respectively. Migration of MOSH from 47.9% of samples was higher than 2 mg/kg and migration of MOAH from 32.2% samples exceeded 0.5 mg/kg in case of the worst foreseeable condition of use. The highest mean migration of MOSH and MOAH were found in packaging papers for long-term storage (more than 6 months), with mean migration of 91.2 mg/kg and 1.4 mg/kg, respectively. Migration of MOH from printed paper was considerably higher than that of unprinted paper, validating previous findings that the printing ink is the predominant source of MOH contamination in food contact papers. Migration of MOH from paper bowls used for packing instant noodles was relatively low, suggesting the internal hollow layer may be acting as a functional barrier that could block the transfer of MOH (up to C28) through the gas phrase, even though the outer layer was made from recycled paper. High concentrations of MOSH and MOAH were also detected in de-foamers, adhesives and rosin sizing agents, indicating that the MOH contamination caused by the use of raw materials and additives should also be taken into consideration.

The adsorption of hydrocarbons present in gasoline residues on household materials was investigated via inverse gas chromatography (IGC). A series of hydrocarbons (n-heptane, n-octane, n-nonane, toluene, p-xylene, and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene) and three household materials (carpet fibers, cotton fabric, and cardboard) were selected in this work. IGC measurements using columns packed with these household materials were conducted to obtain molar enthalpies of adsorption of the selected hydrocarbons over the temperature range of 40 to 70 °C. Adsorption isotherms and Henry's law solubility coefficients (S) were also determined at 40 °C. Results from our IGC measurements revealed that molar enthalpies of adsorption, adsorption isotherms, and solubility coefficients were largely dependent upon the structures and size of hydrocarbons and the choice of solid substrates. Measured molar enthalpies of adsorption became more exothermic with increasing size of hydrocarbons, ranging from -23.4 to -40.9 kJ/mol for carpet fibers, -36.2 to -48.2 kJ/mol for cotton fabric, and -30.1 to -52.5 kJ/mol for cardboard. From the adsorption isotherms and the measured retention times as a function of the injection amount, the adsorption affinity of hydrocarbons to the carpet fibers was found to be weaker than the affinity between hydrocarbon molecules, producing relatively lower solubility coefficients for all hydrocarbons than those measured on cotton fabric and cardboard. However, the adsorption affinities of hydrocarbons to both cotton fabric and cardboard were much stronger with increased solubility coefficients presumably due to the diffusion and dispersion of hydrocarbons through solid substrates. In particular, solubility coefficients of three aromatics on cardboard were significantly larger than those measured on carpet fibers and cotton fabric. This might be responsible for previously reported enhanced persistence of gasoline residues spiked on cardboard., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Nowadays, the increasing amount of wastes is a concerning reality and the environmental aspects has become a major priority. Following this worry, the purpose of this experimental study was to investigate the possibility of using pulp and paper inorganic wastes, named dregs and grits, in bituminous mixtures as aggregate replacement to reduce environmental effects of these wastes disposal. First, the wastes were chemically and physically characterized and also tested primarily taking into account the requirements for aggregates in bituminous mixtures. Then, formulations were prepared replacing aggregates with wastes in different amounts. The mechanical properties of these mixtures containing wastes were compared with reference samples based on standard methods. According to the results it was possible to verify that grits had a good performance and it might be directly tested industrially as an aggregate in road construction. On the other hand, dregs need to be treated before incorporation to guarantee stable mixes in terms of water sensitivity., (Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Waste newspaper (WP) was first co-pyrolyzed with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) to enhance the yields of alcohols and hydrocarbons. The effects of WP: HDPE feed ratio (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, 0:100) and temperature (500-800°C) on products distribution were investigated and the interaction mechanism during co-pyrolysis was also proposed. Maximum yields of alcohols and hydrocarbons reached 85.88% (feed ratio 50:50wt.%, 600°C). Hydrogen supplements and deoxidation by HDPE and subsequently fragments recombination result in the conversion of aldehydes and ketones into branched hydrocarbons. Radicals from WP degradation favor the secondary crack for HDPE products resulting in the formation of linear hydrocarbons with low carbon number. Hydrocarbons with activated radical site from HDPE degradation were interacted with hydroxyl from WP degradation promoting the formation of linear long chain alcohols. Moreover, co-pyrolysis significantly enhanced condensable oil qualities, which were close to commercial diesel No. 0., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The prevailing paradigm for social wasp endocrinology is that of juvenile hormone (JH) functioning pleiotropically in potential and actual queens, where it fuels dominance behaviors, stimulates ovarian growth and/or affects the production of status-linked cuticular compounds. In colonies with annual cycles (e.g., temperate-zone species), female adults produced at the end of the summer (called gynes) are physiologically primed to hibernate. Despite the absence of egg-laying in the pre-overwintering phase, gynes engage in dominance interactions that may affect reproductive potential following hibernation. JH levels have long been inferred to be low in gynes but this has never been tested. In what is the first study to measure JH in gyne-containing colonies of a temperate paper wasp, and the first to incorporate hormone assays in Belonogaster, our results show that the JH titer positively correlates with gyne-specific traits (including oocyte length and a low frequency of foraging trips) in B. longitarsus, a South African paper wasp. Measures of dominance correlated with oocyte length, but not all dominant females possessed activated ovaries. The cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of gynes and workers were distinct, with oocyte length and JH titer showing a positive association with longer-chain methyl-branched alkanes. Nonetheless, evidence for a role of JH in dominance was inconclusive. Finally, the range of JH titers among gynes, and the positive association of JH titers with ovarian status and prospective fertility signals, makes it unlikely that the gyne phenotype is maintained by low JH levels., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

There is a global concern with continuous waste production, and efforts are underway to use these wastes in the construction sector. The negative effects of excessive waste production and the use of virgin materials and energy in Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) construction are challenging and require attention. The right step towards developing resilient road infrastructure is using cold bitumen emulsion mixtures (CBEMs), a cold mix asphalt (CMA). A long-term fix to issues with waste generation and the creation of flexible pavements with HMA can be found by incorporating wastes into CMA. This work reviews the utilization of numerous wastes from different sectors (agricultural, industrial, construction and demolition, and municipal) that are well-known but underutilized and could be used as potential fillers in cold asphalt mixtures. Focus is given to the critical analysis of wastes' physiochemical characteristics and how these affected the effectiveness of mixtures against primary distresses like stability, stiffness, rutting, cracking, fatigue, and moisture susceptibility. Almost all waste materials incorporation reported enhancement in the mechanical performance of CBEM mixes concerning conventional CBEM mixes. The paper sums up the impact on various mechanical properties of CBEM mixes utilizing waste material filler, presents research gaps and a way forward to inspire researchers, and serves as a guideline for using waste materials as fillers in CBEM mixes. This will improve environmental quality and promote sustainability in the paving industry., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) in milk powders, particularly in infant formulas, have been and continue to be a major concern to the public worldwide. These contaminants are likely derived from environmental pollution, manufacturing process and packaging materials. In this study, 23 Chinese commercial milk powder products packaged in four types of materials, i.e. metal cans, paper containers, paperboard boxes with internal bags, and aluminium foil-plastic bags, were collected and stored for 1 year. The total and surface MOH in these samples were detected and compared before and after storage to understand the MOH migration during storage, despite no mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOAH) were detected. The contents of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and polyolefin oligomeric saturated hydrocarbons (POSH) in metal cans were the least among the four packages and changed little during storage, which suggested that little MOH migration occurred in metal material. Despite all the food contact materials in the other three packagings were the aluminium foil-plastic composite, the similar low migration occurred in the aluminium foil-plastic bags and internally contained composite bag(s) in paperboard boxes. However, both total and surface MOSH and POSH easily migrated from the paper-plastic-aluminium composite of paper containers during storage. These findings are helpful for the selection of packaging materials in manufacturing milk powder products or other foods.

This paper deals with the migration of selected hydrocarbon contaminants, namely mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH), diisopropyl naphthalenes (DIPN) and polyalphaolefins (PAO) from adhesives into dry semolina and egg pasta packaged in direct contact with recycled paperboard. Migration was monitored during its shelf life (for up to two years) simulating storage in a supermarket (packs on shelves) and conditions preventing exchange with the surrounding environment (packs wrapped in aluminium foil). Migration from the secondary packaging (transport boxes of corrugated board) was also studied for semolina pasta. After 24 months of exposure, semolina pasta stored on shelves reached 3.2 and 0.6 mg kg(-1) of MOSH and MOAH, respectively, Migration from the adhesives used to close the boxes and from the transport boxes contributed about 30% and 25% of the total contamination, respectively. The highest contamination levels (14.5 and 2.0 mg kg(-1) of MOSH and MOAH, respectively, after 24 months) were found in egg pasta stored on shelves (no adhesives), and seemed due to the highest contribution from the external environment.

Migration of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH), polyolefin oligomeric saturated hydrocarbons (POSH), and polyalphaolefins (PAO from hot melts) into dry semolina and egg pasta packed in direct contact with virgin paperboard or polypropylene (PP) flexible film was studied. Migration was monitored during shelf life (up to 24 months), through storage in a real supermarket (packs kept on shelves), conditions preventing exchange with the surrounding environment (packs wrapped in aluminium foil), and storage in a warehouse (packs inside of the transport box of corrugated board). Semolina pasta packed in virgin paperboard (without hot melts) had a MOSH content lower than 1.0 mg kg(-1). An increasing contamination with PAO belonging to the adhesives used to close the boxes was detected in egg pasta, wrapped in aluminium (1.5 and 5 mg kg(-1) after 3 and 24 months, respectively). An environmental contribution to total hydrocarbon contamination was observed in egg pasta kept on shelves that, after 3 and 24 months, showed levels of PAO/MOSH < C25 around 3 and 10 mg kg(-1), respectively. The migration of POSH from PP film into egg pasta wrapped in aluminium was around 0.6 mg kg(-1) after 3 months of contact and reached 1.7 mg kg(-1) after 24 months of contact. After 9 months of contact, semolina pasta packed in PP film and stored in the transport box showed that some MOSH migrated into the pasta from the board of the transport box (through the plastic film).

Retail samples of dry goods (bread, biscuits and breakfast cereals) packaged in waxed paper were examined for the presence of mineral hydrocarbon wax. Bread loaves contained up to 50 mg/kg of the wax (associated with the outer surfaces) and crackers up to 185 mg/kg. Mineral oil was found in bread samples, at up to 550 mg/kg and was dispersed throughout indicating its use in food processing machinery as the likely source. Retail confectionery products wrapped in waxed paper (containing 12-44% w/w) gave rise to levels of 12-1300 mg/kg mineral hydrocarbon in the individually wrapped sweets. Migration into boiled sweets was lowest at 10-130 mg/kg, whilst soft chews and toffee products contained 110-1300 mg/kg. The distribution of wax hydrocarbons (principally n-alkanes) in the confectionery coincided exactly with that for the paper wrapping, with a range of C23 to C33 (95% material) centred around C26. This indicated that the transfer to the food occurred largely by adhesion rather than by diffusion since the latter would be expected to favour preferential migration of the low molecular weight components. In simulated home-use experiments with waxed bags sold in the United States for domestic use, migration into sandwiches and cake amounted to 40 mg/kg (1% transfer of wax). Use of these waxed bags in the microwave oven (as recommended) gave rise to contamination of foods from 210 to 1650 mg/kg (up to 60% transfer of wax).

Mineral oil hydrocarbons present in printing inks and recycled paper migrate from paper-based food packaging to foods primarily through the gas phase. Migration from two commercial products packed in recycled paperboard, i.e. muesli and egg pasta, was monitored up to the end of their shelf life (1 year) to study the influence of time, storage conditions, food packaging structure and temperature. Mineral oil saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons (MOSH and MOAH, respectively), and diisopropyl naphthalenes (DIPN) were monitored using online HPLC-GC/FID. Storage conditions were: free standing, shelved, and packed in transport boxes of corrugated board, to represent domestic, supermarket and warehouse storage, respectively. Migration to food whose packs were kept in transport boxes was the highest, especially after prolonged storage, followed by shelved and free-standing packs. Tested temperatures were representative of refrigeration, room temperature, storage in summer months and accelerated migration testing. Migration was strongly influenced by temperature: for egg pasta directly packed in paperboard, around 30 mg kg⁻¹ of MOSH migrated in 8 months at 20°C, but in only 1 week at 40°C. Muesli was contained into an internal polyethylene bag, which firstly adsorbed hydrocarbons and later released them partly towards the food. Differently, the external polypropylene bag, containing pasta and recycled paper tray, strongly limited the migration towards the atmosphere and gave rise to the highest level of food contamination. Tests at increased temperatures not only accelerated migration, but also widened the migration of hydrocarbons to higher molecular masses, highlighting thus a difficult interpretation of data from accelerated simulation.

This contribution presents the first study focused on the analysis of microbial mats in the Los Molles Formation (Toarcian - Early Callovian), Neuquén Basin, Argentina. This unit mainly represents offshore-to-shelf environments affected by storms and density currents. The Los Molles Formation is one of the oldest source rocks in the Neuquén Basin and constitutes an unconventional shale gas reservoir of great economic importance. The aim of this work was to identify the microbial activity from the description and interpretation of microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS), to determine the paleoenvironmental and paleoecological conditions under which they formed, and to establish a possible relationship between these structures and the trace fossil Trichichnus. Samples from the levels with MISS were analyzed and described from macroscopic and binocular observations, petrographic microscope thin sections, and SEM samples with EDS analyses. The results showed several levels of microbial mats presenting diverse MISS, including biolaminations and Kinneyia-like wrinkles structures that were described at the macroscopic level. In thin sections, biolaminations, filament-like microstructures with different degrees of development, oriented grains and pyrite were observed. SEM images and EDS analyses showed different types of filaments, coccoids and EPS with high concentrations of carbon. These results revealed that the studied levels fulfill the established biogenicity criteria, guaranteeing that they have a bacterial origin. The abundance of the trace fossil Trichichnus sp. throughout the section and the proximity to some Kinneyia-like wrinkle structures levels suggests that the same organisms may have generated them. Furthermore, they revealed that the Los Molles Formation, at the time of its deposition, experienced paleoecological and paleoenvironmental conditions appropriate for the establishment and development of microbial mats. The extensive levels of microbial mats in the study area suggest that they may have been a source of organic matter for the generation of hydrocarbons from the Los Molles Formation., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Insect social life is governed by chemicals. A great number of studies have demonstrated that the blend of hydrocarbons present on the cuticle (CHCs) plays a pivotal role in intra- and inter-specific communication. It is not surprising, therefore, that social parasites, specialized in exploiting the costly parental care provided by host workers, exploit the host chemical communication system too. Throughout their life cycle, social parasites intercept and break this CHC-based code. Recently, however, several polar compounds (mainly peptides) have been found in addition to CHCs both on the cuticle and on the comb surface of social insects, and their semiochemical role has been demonstrated in some circumstances. In the present study, we used the paper wasp social parasite-host system Polistes sulcifer (Zimmerman)-Polistes dominulus (Christ) to evaluate the relative importance of the CHCs and polar compounds in two different steps of the host exploitation process: host nest detection by the pre-usurping parasite and parasite chemical integration into the host colony. After separating the polar and apolar fractions of the host nest as well as those of pre- and post-usurpation parasites, we carried out laboratory assays based on the binary choice model. Our results show that nest polar compounds neither are used by the parasite to detect the host's nest nor play a role in parasite chemical integration into the host colony. In contrast, we demonstrate that CHCs are fundamental in both steps, thus confirming their primary role in social insect life and consequently in social parasite-host interactions.

Hamilton's theory [1] for the evolution of social behaviour predicts that helpers may renounce direct reproduction to help their more fertile kin. Intra-colony recognition among queens and helpers (subordinate queens or workers) is consequently a central issue in insect sociobiology. In social insects, cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are involved in recognition, and egg-laying and non-egg-laying individuals often differ in CHC composition. These differences are assumed to be directly determined by fertility status [2,3]. In several ants and in Polistes wasps, when egg-layers disappear they are substituted by helpers, which develop their ovaries and become chemically similar to their former queens [2,3]. Sometimes helpers lay eggs in the presence of queens, which recognize and destroy the subordinates' eggs [4]. In ponerine ants, eggs often have the same chemical signature as the maternal cuticle [2]. If chemical signatures depend on fertility, egg-laying subordinates should match the queen's signature even when she is present, making egg recognition and differential oophagy impossible. In the study reported here, we experimentally separated fertility from dominance and analyzed the dynamics of hydrocarbon profiles of the cuticle of Polistes dominulus foundresses and the shell surface of their eggs. We have demonstrated that, contrary to the widely accepted view, dominance, rather than fertility, determines chemical signatures in Polistes wasps. This explains why queens can recognize their own eggs and police reproduction by subordinates if they become fertile and lay eggs.

Nestmate recognition is one the most important features in social insect colonies. Although epicuticular lipids or cuticular hydrocarbons have both structural and defensive functions in insects, they also seem to be involved in several aspects of communication in wasps, bees and ants. We analyzed and described for the first time the cuticular hydrocarbons of a Neotropical paper wasp, Polistes satan, and found that variation in hydrocarbon profile was sufficiently strong to discriminate individuals according to their colony membership. Therefore, it seems that small differences in the proportion of these compounds can be detected and used as a chemical-based cue by nestmates to detect invaders and avoid usurpation.

The toxicity of intact sediments and sediment extracts, from both an uncontaminated site and a site contaminated by pulp-mill effluents, was tested in a five months study. The deposit-feeding amphipod Monoporeia affinis was exposed in soft-bottom flow-through water microcosms. To examine potential toxicity a set of reproduction endpoints was used including fecundity and different embryo aberrations such as malformed eggs. Among extracts, the aliphatic/monoaromatic and diaromatic fractions along with the total extract were shown to cause the highest toxicity measured as malformed eggs, while the polyaromatic fraction caused toxicity at background levels. A comparison between sediment extracts and pulp mill contaminated intact sediment, however, showed no toxicity of the intact sediment. Thus, the extraction procedure seems to increase bioavailability and subsequently toxicity as compared to the intact sediments in situ. In toxicity testing using fractionated extracts of sediments in a toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) procedures, caution should therefore be taken when assessing bioavailable contaminants in contaminated areas. This should be taken in account both in determining remediation priorities as well as in ecological risk assessments.

Newsprint samples collected from 12-16 ft (top layer (TNP)), 20-24 ft (middle layer (MNP)), and 32-36 ft (bottom layer (BNP)) below the surface of the Norman Landfill (NLF) were characterized by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, cross-polarization, magic-angle spinning 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (CP-MAS 13C NMR) spectroscopy, and tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) thermochemolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The extent of NLF newsprint degradation was evaluated by comparing the chemical composition of NLF newsprint to that of fresh newsprint (FNP) and newsprint degraded in the laboratory under methanogenic conditions (DNP). The O-alkyl/alkyl, cellulose/lignin, and lignin/resin acid ratios showed that BNP was the most degraded, and that all three NLF newsprint samples were more degraded than DNP. 13C NMR and TMAH thermochemolysis data demonstrated selective enrichment of lignin over cellulose, and TMAH thermochemolysis further exhibited selective enrichment of resin acids over lignin. In addition, the crystallinity of cellulose in NLF newsprint samples was significantly lower relative to that of FNP and DNP as shown by 13C NMR spectra. The yield of lignin monomers from TMAH thermochemolysis suggested that hydroxyl groups were removed from the propyl side chain of lignin during the anaerobic decomposition of newsprint in the NLF. Moreover, the vanillyl acid/aldehyde ratio, which successfully describes aerobic lignin degradation, was not a good indicator of the anaerobic degradation of lignin on the basis of the TMAH data. The toluene sorption capacity increased as the degree of newsprint degradation increased or as the O-alkyl/alkyl ratio of newsprint decreased. The results of this study further verified that the sorbent O-alkyl/ alkyl ratio is useful for predicting sorption capacities of natural organic materials for hydrophobic organic contaminants.

Petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) can be biodegraded into CO 2 , and PHC-contaminated aquifers are always deemed as carbon sources. Fortunately, some carbon fixation microorganisms have been found in PHC-contaminated sites. However, most of the studies are related to volatile short-chain PHC, and few studies focus on long-chain PHC-contaminated sites. To reveal the carbon fixation microorganisms in these sites, in the study, a long-chain PHC polluted site in North China was selected. Through hydrochemical and metagenomics analysis, the structure and capacity of carbon fixing microorganisms in the site were revealed. Results showed that there were many kinds of carbon fixed microorganisms that were identified such as Flavobacterium, Pseudomonas. HP/4HB, rTCA, and DC/4HB cycles were dominated carbon fixation pathways. The long-chain PHC were weakly correlated with carbon fixation microorganisms, but it may stimulate the growth of some carbon fixation microorganisms, such as microorganisms involved in rTCA cycle. PRACTITIONER POINTS: The microorganisms with carbon fixation gene exist in the aquifer contaminated by long-chain petroleum hydrocarbon. Microorganisms that have the ability to degrade petroleum also have the ability to carbon fixation. Long-chain petroleum hydrocarbon may promote the growth of carbon fixation microorganisms., (© 2024 Water Environment Federation.)

Oxidative aging of bitumen is an inevitable and irreversible phenomenon. Exposure to detrimental factors such as sunlight, oxygen, and UV radiations accelerates the aging of bitumen and bituminous pavement. The aging process induces hardening and embrittlement in bitumen, leading to premature pavement failure. Therefore, for constructing sustainable long-lasting pavements anti-aging additives are used. Among the available additives, the use of antioxidants has emerged as a promising solution to mitigate the aging of bitumen. The current review aims to summarise the existing literature for a comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of these additives as aging inhibitors. It provides an overview of the chemical pathway involved during bitumen oxidation and various quantification techniques to measure the effect of aging. This review also highlights the potential use of antioxidants in bitumen and elaborates on the working mechanism of different types of antioxidants to prevent bitumen aging. Further, the effect of modification in bitumen at micro, macro, and mixture levels are discussed. Additionally, cost analysis and future prospects on the use of antioxidants for bitumen are presented., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Environmental pollution caused by petrochemical hydrocarbons (HC) and plastic waste is a pressing global challenge. However, there is a promising solution in the form of bacteria that possess the ability to degrade HC, making them valuable tools for remediating contaminated environments and effluents. Moreover, some of these bacteria offer far-reaching potential beyond bioremediation, as they can also be utilized to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a common type of bioplastics. The accumulation of PHAs in bacterial cells is facilitated in environments with high C/N or C/P ratio, which are often found in HC-contaminated environments and effluents. Consequently, some HC-degrading bacteria can be employed to simultaneously produce PHAs and conduct biodegradation processes. Although bacterial bioplastic production has been thoroughly studied, production costs are still too high compared to petroleum-derived plastics. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of recent scientific advancements concerning the capacity of HC-degrading bacteria to produce PHAs. It will delve into the microbial strains involved and the types of bioplastics generated, as well as the primary pathways for HC biodegradation and PHAs production. In essence, we propose the potential utilization of HC-degrading bacteria as a versatile tool to tackle two major environmental challenges: HC pollution and the accumulation of plastic waste. Through a comprehensive analysis of strengths and weaknesses in this aspect, this review aims to pave the way for future research in this area, with the goal of facilitating and promoting investigation in a field where obtaining PHAs from HC remains a costly and challenging process., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Migration of mineral hydrocarbons into dairy products and sunflower oil (fatty food simulant) has been studied using a gas chromatographic procedure. The food contact materials examined were polystyrene and ABS pots and tubs, and waxed paperboard. Levels of mineral oil in the polystyrene and ABS articles ranged from 0.3 to 5.5% w/w (13 to 366 mg/dm2) and as a coating on the paperboard ranged from 1.0 to 7.7% (55 to 565 mg/dm2). Exposure conditions were 7 days at 4 degrees C for the dairy products and 10 days at 40 degrees C for the oil. However, individual serving milk and creams (UHT) were retail samples which were stored at ambient temperature before analysis. Migration into the milk products was less than 3 mg/kg. Transfer to sunflower oil simulant and into individual serving milk products was much higher at levels up to 150 mg/kg (2 mg/dm2) and 90 mg/kg (4 mg/dm2) for the oil and milk respectively.

Petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) are produced from industrial discharges, storage leakages, accidental spills, and operational failures. The hazardous nature of PHCs causes serious health risks and threatens the entire aquatic habitat. In this research work, the investigation of the removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) from the contaminated water is carried out utilizing a novel hypercross-linked resin, MAICY, which is generated by condensation of commercially available precursors. The chemical structures of MAICY have been examined extensively by FESEM, FT-IR, solid (CP-MAS) 13 C-NMR, and TGA. A comprehensive analysis for adsorption parameters of TPHs has been performed, and different models such as Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms have been employed where the Freundlich isotherm was found to be the best fit for removal of THPs (R 2 = 0.9991). The results revealed that the performance of MAICY for the adsorption of TPHs from contaminated water gives a maximum adsorption capacity (q e ) of 146 mg.g -1 . The results of various parameters hinted that the contact time (0.25-4 h), the dosage of adsorbent (0.17 g/L), pH (7), and concentration of TPHs (26.5 mg/L) have controlled the overall adsorptive performance. Moreover, the kinetic data of q e(expt.) and q e(calc.) for adsorption of TPHs disclosed the regression values (R 2 ) for pseudo-first order (R 2 = 0.9921) and pseudo-second order (R 2 = 0.9891). Additionally, based on CHI factor (X 2 ) error estimations, the data was shown to be more consistent with pseudo-first-order kinetics. Moreover, MAICY demonstrated excellent reusability and recycling properties for up to four consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Hydrophobic modification of bagasse fibers (BFs) through a green approach can promote its reuse in asphalt and enhance the utilization value of agricultural and forestry waste in road engineering. In contrast to traditional chemical modification, this study reports a new method for the hydrophobic modification of BFs using tannic acid (TA) and the in situ growth of FeOOH nanoparticles (NPs), resulting in FeOOH-TA-BF, which is used to prepare styrene-butadiene styrene (SBS)-modified asphalt. The experimental results show that the surface roughness, specific surface area, thermal stability, and hydrophobicity of the modified BF are improved, which is beneficial for enhancing the interface compatibility with asphalt. Specifically, compared with BF/SBS-modified asphalt, FeOOH-TA-BF/SBS-modified asphalt exhibits 39.21% and 23.26% increase in the elastic modulus G' and viscous modulus G″, respectively, at the optimal dosage of 2.5%, corresponding to 6.15-fold and 7.13-fold increase in the fatigue life at 2.5% and 5.0% strain respectively, and 22.0% improvement in shear resistance performance. In the meantime, 2.5-fold enhancement of the storage stability. Therefore, this study provides a simple, environmentally friendly, and efficient hydrophobic modification method that is of great significance for promoting the resource utilization of solid waste BF., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

A great complexity limits its use as the degree of aging of the asphalt binder of the RAP is a determinant for the interaction with the new binder and recycling agents to design asphalt mixtures with reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). One of the ways to analyze the level of interaction between the aged binder and the recycling agent is through the analysis of the performance of the mixtures after the accelerated aging of the samples in the laboratory. Thus, this paper evaluated the mechanical performance of asphalt mixtures with high contents of RAP (50%, 75%, and 100%) and organic type recycling agents (residual engine oil) and surfactant (ADCAP WM), submitted to aging protocols short and long term. The data obtained verified the feasibility of adding up to 75% of RAP in the recycled mixtures. However, detailed monitoring of its execution and performance throughout its useful life is necessary. Fatigue and flexural fracture data were highly altered by aging conditioning, evidencing the reduction in the performance of the compositions of the recycled mixtures. The statistical test showed significance for the parameters RAP content and type/content of the recycling agent used. In addition, there was an increase in the deformation capacity and better resistance to aging and cracking with the incorporation of the surfactant recycling agent., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)