Search

The groundwater contamination source identification (GCSI) can provide important bases for the design of pollution remediation plans. The Bayesian theory is commonly used in the GCSI problem. Usually, we use the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method to realize the Bayesian framework. However, due to the ill-posed nature of the GCSI and the system model's complexity, the conventional MCMC algorithm is time-consuming and has low accuracy. In this study, we proposed an adaptive mutation differential evolution Markov chain (AM-DEMC) algorithm. In this algorithm, the Kent mapping chaotic sequence method, combined with differential evolution (DE) algorithm, was used to generate the initial population. In the iteration process, we introduced a hybrid mutation strategy to generate the candidate vectors. Moreover, we adaptively adjust the essential parameter F of the AM-DEMC algorithm according to the individual fitness value. For further improving the efficiency of solving the GCSI problem, the Kriging method was used to establish a surrogate model to avoid the enormous computational load associated with the numerical simulation model. Finally, a hypothetical groundwater contamination case was given to verify the effectiveness of the AM-DEMC algorithm. The results indicated that the proposed AM-DEMC algorithm successfully identified the contamination sources' characteristics and simulation model's parameters. It also exhibited stronger search-ability and higher accuracy than the MCMC and DE-MC algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this engaged public sociology study was to use social science to bring resident stakeholders into the process of governing pollution production in a rural community. The community has cancer clusters. Residents have concerns about direct exposure to pollution production in their neighborhood by a steel recycling plant that has been cited numerous times for environmental violations. The facility has been under voluntary remediation since 2009, but neighborhood residents were marginalized from the governance process. This case study details how social science was used to bring neighborhood residents' concerns about direct exposure to toxic air pollution into remediation governance. A curricula-as-research model was developed to provide an engagement framework that guided the case study as it progressed through a series of six stages over five years. The principal investigator maintained this collaboration by integrating the project into courses, securing small grants, developing an affordable air pollution monitoring method, and convening multiple community meetings. The air monitoring results are analyzed and discussed. Finally, the impact of the case study on the company, the state environmental management agency, local government, the nonprofit partner, and residents' sense of human agency is evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Hydrogeology Journal is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The current study focused on the pollution remediation of textile industry wastewater by using Chlorella pyrenoidosa in two different physical forms: free algal biomass and immobilized algal biomass. The hypothesis behind the present study was to analyze the pollution reduction efficiency of immobilized algal biomass and free algal biomass on comparative scale on the basis of the adsorption process which is directly proportional with the surface area of the adsorbate. So, in this context the immobilized form of algae could enhance the pollution reduction efficiency due to availability of more surface area. So, the textile industry wastewater was treated by both free algal biomass and immobilized algal biomass and the major wastewater contributors like nitrate, phosphate, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) were assessed before and after the treatment process. To conclude the optimum comparative results, the pH of wastewater was maintained constant, as it can capitalize or moderate the adsorption process (initial pH of was 8.2 ± 0.1, but it was maintained to 8). The contamination remediation was found to be effective with immobilized algal biomass (46.7% of nitrate, 59.4% of phosphate, 83.1% BOD and 83.0% of COD) than free algal biomass (43.2% of nitrate, 56.7% of phosphate, 71.4% of BOD and 78.0% COD). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is important that a pollution remediation system be able to cater for a variety of pollutant species present in the water to be treated. The aim of this study was to utilise a series of commercial zeolites (H-MOR, H-β, and H-ZSM5) for the concomitant adsorption and photodegradation of Cu2+ and tetracycline (TC) molecules. The adsorbent cum photocatalyst was characterised by SEM and FTIR. FTIR confirmed the key functional groups (Si-O-Si and Al-O-Si) in the series of zeolites, and H-β zeolite was demonstrated to be the most effective adsorbent cum photocatalyst for both adsorption and photodegradation of Cu2+ and TC molecules. These results were further corroborated from the pseudo-first-order rate constant values. Among the investigated zeolites, H-ZSM5 displayed the least adsorption and photodegradation performance for Cu2+ and TC molecules. The photolysis reaction confirms the significant role of zeolites in the photodegradation test, as low performance was recorded in the absence of the zeolites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron-oxidizing bacteria (FeOB) could oxidize Fe(II) and mediate biomineralization, which provides the possibility for its potential application in arsenic (As) remediation. In the present study, a strain named Ochrobactrum EEELCW01 isolated previously, was inoculated into paddy soils to investigate the effect of FeOB inoculation on the As migration and transformation in paddy soils. The results showed that inoculation of Ochrobactrum sp. increased the proportion of As in iron-aluminum oxide binding fraction, which reduced the As bioavailability in paddy soils and effectively reduced the As accumulation in rice tissues. Moreover, the inoculation of iron oxidizing bacteria increased the abundance of KD4-96, Pedosphaeraceae and other bacteria in the soils, which could reduce the As toxicity in the soil through biotransformation. The abundance of metabolites such as carnosine, MG (0:0/14:0/0:0) and pantetheine 4'-phosphate increased in rhizosphere soils inoculated with FeOB, which indicated that the defense ability of soil-microorganism-plant system against peroxidation caused by As was enhanced. This study proved that FeOB have the potential application in remediation of As pollution in paddy soil, FeOB promotes the formation of iron oxide in paddy soil, and then adsorbed and coprecipitated with arsenic. On the other hand, the inoculation of Ochrobactrum sp. change soil microbial community structure and soil metabolism, increase the abundance of FeOB in soil, promote the biotransformation process of As in soil, and enhance the resistance of soil to peroxide pollution (As pollution). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil contamination caused by heavy metals has become a serious environmental and health-related problem to human. Copper (Cu) is essential to human and plants in appropriate amount but toxicant if excessive. Although soil washing has been developed for a long time for heavy metal remediation, there are few studies focusing on Cu, especially in the case of extreme concentration of metal and dissolved organic matters (DOM). Thus, based on the literature reviews about soil washing, this study tried to find out the practical and effective methods to achieve remediation for Cu pollution in different situations of various soil texture and pollution concentrations. Different Cu polluted soils in industrial ground were sampled in Shanghai for experiments. Considering washing agents, washing duration time, liquid to solid ratio, combinations of different agents and oxidation pretreatment, the optimal soil washing conditions were decided. Results showed that washing agents and soil texture seriously affected the efficiency of soil washing. 0.05 mol/L Ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) or 0.1 mol/L FeCl3 combined with 0.1 mol/L citric acid (CA) was valid for Cu washing for three different soils with removal rate ranged from 68.8 ± 0.8% to 83.2 ± 1.1%. Oxidation pretreatment was necessary when DOM was in high concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead (Pb) is a neurotoxicant that particularly harms young children. Urban environments are often plagued with elevated Pb in soils and dusts, posing a health exposure risk from inhalation and ingestion of these contaminated media. Thus, a better understanding of where to prioritize risk screening and intervention is paramount from a public health perspective. We have synthesized a large national data set of Pb concentrations in household dusts from across the United States (U.S.), part of a community science initiative called "DustSafe." Using these results, we have developed a straightforward logistic regression model that correctly predicts whether Pb is elevated (>80 ppm) or low (<80 ppm) in household dusts 75% of the time. Additionally, our model estimated 18% false negatives for elevated Pb, displaying that there was a low probability of elevated Pb in homes being misclassified. Our model uses only variables of approximate housing age and whether there is peeling paint in the interior of the home, illustrating how a simple and successful Pb predictive model can be generated if researchers ask the right screening questions. Scanning electron microscopy supports a common presence of Pb paint in several dust samples with elevated bulk Pb concentrations, which explains the predictive power of housing age and peeling paint in the model. This model was also implemented into an interactive mobile app that aims to increase community‐wide participation with Pb household screening. The app will hopefully provide greater awareness of Pb risks and a highly efficient way to begin mitigation. Plain Language Summary: Community science has been gaining traction in many locales throughout the United States, particularly in the field of urban pollution. While this has helped with science education and informing communities of potential hazards and mitigation tools, little has been done to effectively assimilate this information in a useful way to help people in other communities throughout the country. Thus, we utilized a large data set of household dust samples provided by community scientists across the United States to build a simple predictive model that lets users know if their dust is likely to be high in a toxic metal, lead. Additionally, we built this model into an interactive mobile app that we plan to use as a recruitment tool for usage of lead screening kits. Ultimately, we plan to assess whether this mobile app improves user knowledge of household lead risks and increases participation from start to finish for free lead screening services. Key Points: Community science sampling can provide national‐level insightMobile apps can be utilized as a lead intervention toolElevated lead in house dust can be reasonably predicted with a simple statistical model and two variables [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sediment pollution index acts as a useful indicator for assessing anthropogenic pollution within river drainage basins. An industrialized urban river, Fengshan River in Kaohsiung City, southern Taiwan has been suffering heavy metal pollution from surrounding factories. In this study, spatial and seasonal variations in heavy metals in sediments from seven sampling sites of Fengshan River were determined to assess sediment pollution status and potential ecological risk using multiple sediment pollution indices. Results showed that the heavy metal concentrations displayed large spatial variations. Severe contamination of heavy metals, especially for Cr, Hg, and Zn in the lower reaches of Fengshan River, may attribute to wastewater discharges from leather processing and metal finishing factories along the river drainage basin. An increase in metal concentrations from upstream to downstream indicated that heavy metals tend to accumulate in tidal reaches, probably as a result of the flocculation effect. Frequent heavy rainfall in the wet season can enhance surface runoff to discharge metal pollutants from non-point sources (scattered factories) into the river. Assessment of multiple pollution indices showed moderately polluted (mCd = 3.9, PLI = 2.6) and considerable ecological risk (RI = 540, mERMQ = 0.55), indicating Fengshan River sediments, particularly in the lower reaches, are considered toxic and can cause adverse effects to benthic organisms. Organic matters showed a good correlation with heavy metals, which play an important role in the spatiotemporal variations in heavy metal pollutants in the Fengshan River sediments. This study can provide valuable information for river pollution remediation, and urban planning and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 30 years after mercury pollution remediation finished in Minamata Bay, we report here the present state of the subtidal benthic communities in Minamata Bay. The benthos was sampled at stations in Minamata Bay five times between July 2018 and 2019, capturing seasonal variations. Sediment characteristics were relatively stable across seasons. Sediments contained >80% silt–clay and had total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), and residual total Hg content (THg) approximately 20 mg/g, 2.0 mg/g, and 2.5 mg/kg (dry‐weight basis), respectively, with a C/N ratio of ~11. THg was positively correlated with TOC, whereas TOC was negatively correlated with the C/N ratio, suggesting that TOC is a proxy for sediment microalgal matter (i.e., settling phytoplankton and/or microphytobenthos), a potential food for macrobenthos. Macrobenthos abundance was very low (approximately 100 individuals/m2) and the maximum effective number of species was three in all seasons. We detected effects of THg on species richness and composition of the community, but not on total macrobenthos abundance, biomass, species diversity, or relative species abundance. The TOC gradient was significantly related to both species composition and relative abundance of the community. However, the total variation explained by both TOC and THg for community composition was low (10% at most). These results suggests that other environmental factors, such as the alteration of hydrodynamic and physicochemical regimes caused by the reclamation for pollution mitigation, may also have had a long‐lasting effect on community assembly and the present poor macrofauna levels in Minamata Bay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Lead (Pb) is a neurotoxicant that particularly harms young children. Urban environments are often plagued with elevated Pb in soils and dusts, posing a health exposure risk from inhalation and ingestion of these contaminated media. Thus, a better understanding of where to prioritize risk screening and intervention is paramount from a public health perspective. We have synthesized a large national data set of Pb concentrations in household dusts from across the United States (U.S.), part of a community science initiative called “DustSafe.” Using these results, we have developed a straightforward logistic regression model that correctly predicts whether Pb is elevated (>80 ppm) or low (

Climate change, inadequate possessions, and land degradation all pose obstacles to modern agriculture. In the current scenario, the agriculture industry is mainly dependent on the use of chemical-based pesticides and fertilizers that impact soil health and crop productivity. Moreover, water scarcity leads farmers in drastically affected regions to use heavy metal-enriched water sources mainly originating from industrial sources for field crops irrigation. Soil pollutants can be carried into the human body via dust and water, creating negative health effects varying from simple symptoms, e.g., nausea and diarrhea and reaching death in critical cases. Thus, to clean soil contaminants, and improve soil fertility and agricultural production, alternatives to chemical fertilizers must be developed. Therefore, using beneficial microbes found in plant-associated soil microorganisms offers an effective strategy to alleviate some of these challenges, improving soil fertility, and crop yield, and protecting plants from stress conditions. Through the use of synergistic interactions, the synthetic consortium strategy seeks to improve the stability of microbial communities. In this review, synthetic consortia and their potential use in agriculture were discussed. Further, engineering new effective synthetic consortia was suggested as an effective approach in the concept of environmental bioremediation of soil pollutants and contaminants.

• Formation mechanisms of PFRs in BC are reviewed. • Catalytic role of BC-PFRs in environmental pollution remediation is evaluated. • BC-PFRs systems include redox, advanced oxidation, photocatalytic, and sonocatalytic system. • Future challenges of BC-PFRs in environmental pollution remediation are proposed. Biochar as an emerging carbonaceous material has exhibited a great potential in environmental application for its perfect adsorption ability. However, there are abundant persistent free radicals (PFRs) in biochar, so the direct and indirect PFRs-mediated removal of organic and inorganic contaminants by biochar was widely reported. In order to comprehend deeply the formation of PFRs in biochar and their interactions with contaminants, this paper reviews the formation mechanisms of PFRs in biochar and the PFRs-mediated environmental applications of biochar in recent years. Finally, future challenges in this field are also proposed. This review provides a more comprehensive understanding on the emerging applications of biochar from the viewpoint of the catalytic role of PFRs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] This study was conducted to discuss the Pb-enrichment ability of Iris pseudacorus, and reveal the effects of different concentrations of Pb stress on the physiological metabolism of I. pseudacorus. [Methods] I. pseudacorus L. as a test material was cultured by the nutrient solution culture method and analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), cysteine (Cys) and proline (Pro) contents of plant leaves as well as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity under different concentrations of Pb stress (0, 200, 400, 600, 800, 1 000, 1 200 mg/L). [Results] With the increase of Pb concentration, the Pb content of leaves and roots gradually increased, and the order of increase was root > leaf. Roots and leaves reached maximums at the high concentration of 1 200 mg/L Pb, and their contents were 9 034.6 and 11.2 mg/kg, respectively. Under Pb stress, the contents of GSH, Cys and Pro, and the activity of CAT and SOD in I. pseudacorus showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing with the increase of Pb concentration, and each index reached a maximum under the treatment of 400 mg/L. The level of MDA in the leaves of I. pseudacorus rose significantly under Pb stress, indicating that Pb stress caused the cell membrane of I. pseudacorus to be damaged by peroxidation. [Conclusions] This study provides a theoretical basis for further research and use of this plant for metal pollution remediation in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The characteristics of groundwater pollution caused by illegal waste dumping and methods for predicting and remediating it are still poorly understood. Serious 1,4-dioxane groundwater pollution—which has multiple sources—has been occurring at an illegal waste dumping site in the Tohoku region of Japan. So far, anti-pollution countermeasures have been taken including the installation of an impermeable wall and the excavation of soils and waste as well as the monitoring of contamination concentrations. The objective of this numerical study was to clarify the possibility of predicting pollutant transport in such dynamic and complex hydrologic environments, and to investigate the characteristics of pollutant transport under both naturally occurring and artificially induced groundwater flow (i.e., pumping for remediation). We first tried to reproduce the changes in 1,4-dioxane concentrations in groundwater observed in monitoring wells using a quasi-3D flow and transport simulation considering the multiple sources and spatiotemporal changes in hydrologic conditions. Consequently, we were able to reproduce the long-term trends of concentration changes in each monitoring well. With the predicted pollutant distribution, we conducted simulations for remediation such as pollutant removal using pumping wells. The results of the prediction and remediation simulations revealed the highly complex nature of 1,4-dioxane transport in the dumping site under both naturally occurring and artificially induced groundwater flows. The present study suggests possibilities for the prediction and remediation of pollution at illegal waste dumping sites, but further extensive studies are encouraged for better prediction and remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Valorization of agrowaste biochar into catalytic material for environmental remediation potential application. Developing micro- and nanomaterials for environmental pollution remediation is currently a pertinent topic. Among the plethora of strategies, designing supported nanocatalysts for the degradation of pollutants has achieved prominence. In this context, we are addressing one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals by valorizing agrowaste as a source of biochar, which serves as a support for bimetallic nanocatalysts. Herein, olive pit powder particles were impregnated with copper and nickel nitrates and pyrolyzed at 400 °C. The resulting material consists of bimetallic CuNi-decorated biochar. CuNi nanocatalysts were found to be as small as 10 nm and very well dispersed over biochar with zero valent copper and nickel and the formation of copper–nickel solid solutions. The biochar@CuNi (B@CuNi) exhibited typical soft ferromagnet hysteresis loops with zero remanence and zero coercivity. The biochar@CuNi was found to be an efficient catalyst of the reduction in methyl orange (MO) dye, taken as a model pollutant. In sum, the one-pot method devised in this work provides unique CuNi-decorated biochar and broadens the horizons of the emerging topic of biochar-supported nanocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimony (Sb) is a priority pollutant in many countries and regions due to its chronic toxicity and potential carcinogenicity. Elevated concentrations of Sb in the environmental originating from mining and other anthropogenic sources are of particular global concern, so the prevention and control of the source of pollution and environment remediation are urgent. It is widely accepted that indigenous microbes play an important role in Sb speciation, mobility, bioavailability, and fate in the natural environment. Especially, antimony-oxidizing bacteria can promote the release of antimony from ore deposits to the wider environment. However, it can also oxidize the more toxic antimonite [Sb(III)] to the less-toxic antimonate [Sb(V)], which is considered as a potentially environmentally friendly and efficient remediation technology for Sb pollution. Therefore, understanding its biological oxidation mechanism has great practical significance to protect environment and human health. This paper reviews studies of the isolation, identification, diversity, Sb(III) resistance mechanisms, Sb(III) oxidation characteristics and mechanism and potential application of Sb-oxidizing bacteria. The aim is to provide a theoretical basis and reference for the diversity and metabolic mechanism of Sb-oxidizing bacteria, the prevention and control of Sb pollution sources, and the application of environment treatment for Sb pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding energy distributions and kinetic processes in low temperature plasmas is vital to increase their utility for a range of applications, in particular pollution remediation. Optical emission spectroscopy (OES) was employed to elucidate energetic and kinetic trends for several diatomic species in CH4/N2 and CH4/H2O plasma systems. Vast differences in rotational and vibrational temperatures between dissimilar plasma species were observed, indicating the internal temperatures of excited state species are not equilibrated with each other. In combination with energy partitioning results, species formation and destruction rates within the plasma were derived from time-resolved OES data. The results provide insight into molecule formation pathways, including that the formation of CN may be related to excited nitrogen species available in CH4/N2 plasmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural environmental governance is an important strategy to achieve the goal of building "green liveable villages" in China. However, studies on technology and devices for pollution remediation focus mainly on urban areas; in this regard, few studies have focused on rural areas, especially mountainous or hilly areas with interflow. Coordinate remediation techniques and devices for water-soil restoration in mountain areas (CRWS-mountain), a subproject of the "environmental monitoring and remediation in rural areas" project (ERM-rural project), was undertaken to develop techniques and devices for coordinating the restoration of water and soil in rural mountainous and hilly areas with interflow. The CRWS-mountain project will attempt to explore the mechanisms of pollutant transportation and transformation in the interflow-soil-surface water system, establish in-situ and heterotopic remediation systems in landfill, towns and surrounding areas, and construct a comprehensive system for "polluted soil-interflow-surface water" by integrating all the technologies and devices at Yanting, a typical rural mountainous hilly area in Sichuan, Southwest China. We expect that after using this comprehensive system, the water quality will meet the requirements for local water function zoning. The operation cost is 10% lower than that of the existing urban equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geochemical modeling has been employed in several fields of science and engineering in recent years. This review seeks to provide an overview of case studies that applied geochemical modeling in the 2019 year, which includes over 250 articles. This review is intended to inform new users on the possibilities that geochemical modeling brings, while also informing existing and past users on its latest developments. The survey of studies was conducted with an emphasis on the modeling techniques, the objective of studies, the prevalent simulated variables and the use of specific software packages. The analysis showed that geochemical modeling is still predominantly employed in experimental projects and in the form of equilibrium modeling. PHREEQC and Visual MINTEQ were recognized as the most popular software packages for simulating a wide range of processes, using equilibrium or other geochemical modeling forms. The study of fluid–rock interactions and pollution and remediation processes can be regarded as the principal geochemical modeling objectives, constituting 37% and 36% of the reviewed studies, respectively. Focusing on fluid–rock interactions, hydrogeochemical processes, carbon capture and storage and enhanced oil recovery have been the main topics examined with geochemical modeling. Assessments of the toxicity of metals in terms of leachate and mobilization, as well as their removal from soil and water systems, have been major topics investigated with the aid of geochemical modeling in terms of pollution and remediation research. It was found that the scholars benefit from geochemical modeling in their research both as a main technique and as an accessory tool. Saturation index, elemental concentration and speciation, mineral mass and composition and pH were among the most common variables modeled in reviewed studies. Geochemical modeling has gained a wider user base in recent years, and many research groups have used it in consecutive studies to deepen knowledge. However, much potential for further dissemination still remains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Agro-Environment Science is the property of Journal of Agro-Environment Science Editorial Board and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Under the action of different activators, persulfate can produce sulfate radicals (SO4·–) with strong oxidizing ability, which can destruct many organic compounds. Meanwhile, persulfate is widely used in groundwater and soil remediation because of its fast reaction and wide application. With the high specific surface area and reactivity of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI), it can enhance the degradation efficiency of the persulfate system on organic pollutants in soil and water as a persulfate activator. However, nZVI is easy to get oxidized and has a tendency to aggregation. To solve these problems, a variety of nZVI modification methods have been put forward and put into to applications in the activation of persulfate. This article will give a systematic introduction of the background and problems of nZVI-activated persulfate in the remediation of organic pollution. In addition, the modification methods and mechanisms of nZVI are summarized, and the applications and progress of modified nZVI-activated persulfate are reviewed. The factors that affect the removal of organic compounds by the activation system are discussed as well. Worldwide, the field studies and full-scale remediation using modified nZVI in persulfate activation are yet limited. However, the already known cases reveal the good prospect of applying modified nZVI in persulfate activation to organic pollution remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the remediation of marine pollution, it is important to effectively degrade pollutants and reuse petroleum-degrading bacteria. In order to obtain more effective biodegradability and reusability, an immobilized bacteria combination with petroleum-degrading bacteria, sodium alginate (SA) and biochar by adsorption-embedding method was systematically analysed. The results indicated that the immobilized bacteria had good mechanical properties and the degradation rate was 51% when the straw (CS) was 3%, the SA and CaCl2 were 4.5% and 6%, respectively. Besides, SA-CS-DM-PVA has the highest degradation rate and the lowest broken rate, above 51% and below 6.1% respectively. The optimum dosage of the modified immobilized bacteria was 132, degradation time was 5d, and reuse frequency was 4 times. Moreover, immobilized bacteria characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), results showed that there were more pores on the surface after degradation, and the carrier was exposed. Therefore, the modified immobilized bacteria with good degradability and reusability, have good application prospects in the treatment of marine oil pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence and migration of colloids at smelting sites are crucial for the formation of multi-metal(loid)s pollution in groundwater. In this study, the behavior of natural colloids (1 nm-0.45 µm) at an abandoned smelting site was investigated by analyzing groundwater samples filtered through progressively decreasing pore sizes. Smelting activities in this site had negatively impacted the groundwater quality, leading to elevated concentrations of zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd). The results showed that heavy metal(loid)-bearing colloids were ubiquitous in the groundwater with the larger colloidal fractions (∼75 −450 nm) containing higher abundances of pollutants. It was also observed that the predominant colloids consisted of Zn-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH), sphalerite, kaolinite, and hematite. By employing multiple analytical techniques, including leaching experiments, soil colloid characterization, and Pb stable isotope measurements, the origin of groundwater colloids was successfully traced to the topsoil colloids. Most notably, our findings highlighted the increased risk of heavy metal(loid)s migration from polluted soils into adjacent sites through the groundwater because of colloid-mediated transport of contaminants. This field-scale investigation provides valuable insights into the geochemical processes governing heavy metal(loid) behavior as well as offering pollution remediation strategies specifically tailored for contaminated groundwater. [Display omitted] • The heavy metal(loid)s in smelting-impacted groundwater displays a greater propensity to associate with larger colloids. • Crystalline colloids link the geochemical processes of heavy metal(loid)s. • Potential groundwater colloids input was dominated by topsoil colloids. • The colloid-facilitated transport increases risk of groundwater contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity and pollution have become major obstacles to sustainable global development. The development of a versatile platform that can simultaneously produce clean water and remediate pollutants from water is highly desirable but still difficult to realize. Herein, to address this challenge, we have developed a CY@PPy@Ag aerogel with excellent photothermal and photocatalytic capabilities through a freeze-drying process, followed by polypyrrole coating and Ag deposition. The excellent characteristics, including broad-spectrum light absorption (97.2%), localization of converted heat, rapid water transport, and porous open microchannels, enabled it to act as an advanced solar evaporator for efficient and continuous steam generation without salt crystallization. Moreover, the high evaporation rate (1.51 kg m−2 h−1) was maintained even in high concentrations of brine and real seawater. Taking advantage of its enhanced photocatalytic performance, organic dyes in water could be rapidly and completely decomposed by the CY@PPy@Ag aerogel under solar irradiation, and this photodegradation process was significantly accelerated with the help of NaBH 4. This work is expected to provide a one-stone-two-birds strategy to simultaneously achieve clean water harvesting and pollution remediation, which holds great promise in the fields of solar energy harvesting, wastewater treatment, and seawater desalination. [Display omitted] • A versatile aerogel platform has been developed. • Efficient solar-powered interfacial water stream generation was achieved. • Rapid photodegradation of organic pollutants in water was realized. • One-stone-two-birds performance was realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, biochar has a large application potential in soil amelioration, pollution remediation, carbon sequestration and emission reduction, and research on the effect of biochar on soil ecology and environment has made positive progress. However, under natural and anthropogenic perturbations, biochar may undergo a series of environmental behaviors such as migratory transformation, mineralization and decomposition, and synergistic transport, thus posing certain potential risks. This paper outlines the multi-interfacial migration pathway of biochar in "air-soil-plant-animal-water", and analyzes the migration process and mechanism at different interfaces during the preparation, transportation and application of biochar. The two stages of the biochar mineralization process (mineralization of easily degradable aliphatic carbon components in the early stage and mineralization of relatively stable aromatic carbon components in the later stage) were described, the self-influencing factors and external environmental factors of biochar mineralization were analyzed, and the mineral stabilization mechanism and positive/negative excitation effects of biochar into the soil were elucidated. The proximity between field natural and artificially simulated aging of biochar were analyzed, and the change of its properties showed a trend of biological aging > chemical aging > physical aging > natural aging, and in order to improve the simulation and prediction, the artificially simulated aging party needs to be changed from a qualitative method to a quantitative method. The technical advantages, application scope and potential drawbacks of different biochar modification methods were compared, and biological modification can create new materials with enhanced environmental application. The stability performance of modified biochar was compared, indicating that raw materials, pyrolysis temperature and modification method were the key factors affecting the stability of biochar. The potential risks to the soil environment from different pollutants carried by biochar were summarized, the levels of pollutants released from biochar in the soil environment were highlighted, and a comprehensive selection of ecological risk assessment methods was suggested in terms of evaluation requirements, data acquisition and operation difficulty. Dynamic tracing of migration decomposition behavior, long-term assessment of pollution remediation effects, and directional design of modified composite biochar materials were proposed as scientific issues worthy of focused attention. The results can provide a certain reference basis for the theoretical research and technological development of biochar. [Display omitted] • Analyzed the migration process and mechanism of biochar at different interfaces. • Analyzed the mineralization process and stability mechanism of biochar in soil. • Compared the properties of biochar under artificial simulation and natural aging. • Summarized the modification strategies and characterization methods of biochar. • Summarized the potential environmental risks in the application process of biochar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of algal biorefineries has garnered considerable attention to researchers owing to their potential to ensure carbon neutrality via mitigation of atmospheric greenhouse gases. Algae-derived biofuels, characterized by their carbon-neutral nature, stand poised to play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable development initiatives aimed at enhancing environmental and societal well-being. In this context, algae-based wastewater treatment systems are greatly appreciated for their efficacy in nutrient removal and simultaneous bioenergy generation. These systems leverage the growth of algae species on wastewater nutrients—including carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus—alongside carbon dioxide, thus facilitating a multifaceted approach to pollution remediation. This review seeks to delve into the realization of carbon neutrality through algae-mediated wastewater treatment approaches. Through a comprehensive analysis, this review scrutinizes the trajectory of algae-based wastewater treatment via bibliometric analysis. It subsequently examines the case studies and empirical insights pertaining to algae cultivation, treatment performance analysis, cost and life cycle analyses, and the implementation of optimization methodologies rooted in artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms for algae-based wastewater treatment systems. By synthesizing these diverse perspectives, this study aims to offer valuable insights for the development of future engineering applications predicated on an in-depth understanding of carbon neutrality within the framework of circular economy paradigms. • Utilization of algae in wastewater treatment helps in acheiving carbon neutrality. • Research trend of algal wastewater treatment is analyzed via bibliometric analysis. • Chlorella vulgaris is the most investigated species in wastewater treatment system. • Binary culture approach has shown significant benefits over conventional systems. • AI and ML integration in algal system has potential benefits in carbon neutrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent adoption of biochar in Malaysia's oil palm industry offers numerous benefits, including soil enhancement, resource efficiency improvement, pollution remediation, and greenhouse gas mitigation. With approximately 66.15% of agricultural land dedicated to oil palm cultivation, a substantial amount of biomass, mainly from empty fruit bunch (EFB) and mesocarp fibre (MF), is generated. This study focused on carbonizing MF and EFB at temperatures ranging from 580 to 695 °C to produce biochar. The assessment of biochar's effectiveness as a planting medium in nurseries revealed significantly accelerated growth rates in seedlings cultivated in a composite of biochar and soil. At 8 months-after-treatment (MAT), the BMF-75 treatment showed remarkable growth enhancements, with the highest increase in height (64.9%), number of leaflets (60.5%), and girth size (55.3%) compared to the initial values at 3 MAT, indicating its effectiveness in promoting growth in oil palm seedlings. Additionally, compared to the control group, the biochar-mixed media resulted in favourable outcomes regarding the assimilation of both macro- and micro-nutrients. For instance, nitrogen uptake increased by 2.7% with BMF-50, magnesium by 25.2%, phosphorus by 24.1% with BEFB-75, calcium by 36.8% with BMF-75, chlorine by 10.5% with BMF-50, iron by 25.5% with BEFB-25, copper by 20.1% with BMF-25, and zinc by 6.3% with BMF-25. Additionally, biochar-treated soil exhibited higher organic carbon content, improved cation exchange capacity (CEC), enhanced nitrogen retention with greater biochar proportions, and likely improved soil fertility due to biochar's porous structure. Further potential research can be explored to investigate its long-term effects on oil palm plantation. • Study shows biochar's key role in soil enhancement, driving sustainability. • Research pioneers MF and EFB pilot-scale carbonization using self-sustained reactor. • Nursery findings reveal accelerated seedling growth, promising agricultural benefits. • Biochar-amended media improves nutrient uptake and soil vitality (density reduction). • Advocates for biomass-biochar stewardship to foster eco-friendly industry norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adsorption and reduction are important ways to remediate hexavalent chrome [Cr(VI)] which is extremely hazardous to human health. Previous studies have shown that schwertmannite (Sch) and nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) are potential materials with high adsorption and strong reduction for Cr(VI), respectively. However, it has been well known that bare nZVI has limitations in remediating Cr(VI) due to its susceptibility to self-aggregation and oxidation in practical applications. Hence to address the above limitations, nZVI was added into the internal pore structure of Sch (nZVI@Sch) in this study and Cr(VI) removal capacity by nZVI@Sch in aqueous solution were systematically investigated. Results showed that under the conditions that the concentration ratio of Fe2+ and Sch is 0.25 mol/L, Cr(VI) initial concentration of 10 mmol/L, initial pH of 3, Cr(VI) remediation ability of nZVI@Sch reached up to 114.03 mg/g (with freeze-drying) and 165.69 mg/g (without freeze-drying) in 4 hours, respectively. Based on the characterization analysis of SEM-EDS, XPS and Zeta potential, the multifunctional synergistic effects of capture-reduction-adsorption-coprecipitation as a mechanism for the removal of Cr(VI) by nZVI@Sch were proposed in this study. This study provided a new remediation material and suggestions for chromium pollution remediation. [Display omitted] • A new multifunctional composite material nZVI@Sch for Cr(VI) removal was prepared. • The maximum remediation capacity of nZVI@Sch was up to 114.03 mg/g. • Proposed mechanism for removing Cr(VI) by capture-reduce-adsorption-coprecipitate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The misuse of aromatic amines like 4-chloroaniline (4-CA) has led to severe environmental and health issues. However, it's difficult to be utilized by microorganisms for degradation. Nano-zero-valent iron (nZVI) is a promising material for the remediation of chloroaniline pollution, however, the synergistic effect and mechanism of nZVI with microorganisms for the degradation of 4-CA are still unclear. This study investigated the potential of 4-CA removal by the synergistic system involving nZVI and 4-CA degrading microbial flora. The results indicate that the addition of nZVI significantly enhanced the bio-degradation rate of 4-CA from 43.13 % to 62.26 %. Under conditions involving 0.1 % nZVI addition at a 24-hour interval, pH maintained at 7, and glucose as an external carbon source, the microbial biomass, antioxidant enzymes, and dehydrogenase were significantly increased, and the optimal 4-CA degradation rate achieved 68.79 %. Additionally, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of intermediates indicated that the addition of nZVI reduced compounds containing benzene rings and enhanced the dechlorination efficiency. The microbial community remained stable during the 4-CA degradation process. This study illustrates the potential of nZVI in co-microbial remediation of 4-CA compounds in the environment. [Display omitted] • The degradation efficiency of 4-CA in the nZVI-microbial system is improved. • The interval addition of nZVI enhanced the microbial antioxidant enzyme activities. • The nZVI enhanced microbial catabolic activity. • The microbial community kept stable during the 4-CA degradation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Earth's history is documented in human civilizations, soil layers, river movement, and quiet sediments throughout millennia. This investigation explores the significant legacy of environmental toxins in these key planet components. Understanding how ancient activity shaped the terrain is crucial as mankind faces environmental issues. This interdisciplinary study uses environmental science, archaeology, and geology to uncover Earth's mysteries. It illuminates the dynamic processes that have built our globe by studying pollutants and soil, water, and sediments. This research follows human actions, both intentional and unintentional, from ancient civilizations through contemporary industrialization and their far-reaching effects. Environmental destiny examines how contaminants affect ecosystems and human health. This study of past contamination helps solve modern problems including pollution cleanup, sustainable land management, and water conservation. This review studies reminds us that our previous activities still affect the ecosystem in a society facing rapid urbanisation and industrialization. It emphasises the importance of environmental stewardship and provides a framework for making educated choices to reduce toxins in soil, water, and sediments. Discovery of Earth's secrets is not only a historical curiosity; it's a necessary step towards a sustainable and peaceful cohabitation with our home planet. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The air pollution remediation is naturally carried out by plants. Their overground parts called phyllosphere are a type of a natural filter on which pollutants can be adsorb. Moreover, microbial communities living in phyllosphere perform a variety of biochemical processes removing also chemical pollutants. As their pollution is nowadays a burning issue especially for highly developed countries, the development of effective and ecological technologies for air treatment are of the utmost importance. The use of phyllosphere bacteria in the process of air bioremediation is a promising technology. This article reviews the role of phyllospheric bacteria in air bioremediation processes especially linked with the moderate climate plants. Research results published so far indicate that phyllosphere bacteria are able to metabolize the air pollutants but their potential is strictly determined by plant-phyllospheric bacteria interaction. The European tree species most commonly used for this purpose are also presented. The collected information filled the gap in the practical use of tree species in air bioremediation in the moderate climate zone. [Display omitted] • Phyllospheric bacterial community have various potential for air bioremediation. • Bioremediation potential of phyllomicrobiota depends on plant-microbiom interaction. • Phyllomicrobiota bind of pollutants form the air by regulating of the waxes amount. • Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria , Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes are the dominant phylum. • Phylloremedtion is a novelty method for air bioremediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uptake capacity of IRMOF-1/rGO nanocomposite for efficient removal of water pollutants. [Display omitted] • Atomistic simulation on the removing mechanism of water pollutants by IRMOF-1/rGO nanocomposite. • Different adsorption behavior of water pollutants on IRMOF-1/rGO nanocomposite. • Higher uptake capacity of the designed nanocomposite for MB dye removal. • Diffusion of water contaminants in the internal cavity of IRMOF-1 component. The main challenge in the use of synthetic dyes and microplastics is their release into water resources, which has adverse effects on human health and the ecosystem. Hence, adsorption removal has been considered an efficient treatment method for pollution remediation from wastewater and industrial effluents. Metal-organic framework/graphene oxide composites can be effectively used for wastewater treatment. In the present study, the uptake mechanism of the cationic dyes, Methylene Blue (MB) and Rhodamine B (RhB), as well as Polyurethane (PU) microplastic by IRMOF-1 based on reduced graphene oxide (IRMOF-1/rGO) nanocomposite was comprehensively evaluated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The contaminant molecules can be adsorbed on the designed nanocomposite to some extent, and which adsorbent exhibits an obvious preference for removing MB over RhB/PU and selectivity. In the case of cationic dyes, the accumulation of textile molecules is observed near the surface of reduced graphene oxide, whereas the metal-organic framework component illustrates a significant uptake capacity for PU microplastic. The tendency of PU microplastics to form a self-organized pattern is noticed in the PU@IRMOF-1/rGO system, but this tendency is less with the coexistence of MB in the mixed system. Increasing the dispersion of microplastic in the mixed system leads to an enhancement in the solvent-accessible surface area of PU from 40.60 nm2 in the individual system to 46.50 nm2 in the mixed system, respectively. It is found that the π-π conjugation, pore-filling effect, van der Waals, and electrostatic interactions govern the water purification mechanism by designed nanocomposite. This work gives a more detailed insight into the use of IRMOF-1@rGO nanocomposite as an effective technology for the decontamination of toxic dyes and microplastics from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Effects of EF on seed germination, growth and physiology of plant were summarized. • The response of positive physiological and resistance to EF was discussed. • Opportunity of interaction, regulation and application for EKAP system are proposed. With the electrokinetic assisted plant (EKAP) systems attracted extensive attention and the prevalence of soil particle interface electric fields, this review gathered and analyzed about effect characteristics and response of electric fields on plant to deepen the understanding of electric field-plant interactions mechanisms and clarify future research directions. Electric fields main affect the seed germination, growth, physiology and tolerance behavior of plant, and it is widely used in heavy metals, organic pollution remediation and agricultural cultivation. Electric fields can rapid break seed dormancy and increase seed germination by improving free to bound water ratio, enzyme activity, stored material hydrolytic and membrane permeability of seed. Plant response to electric fields is double-edged. Electric fields regulate positive physiological like photosynthesis, secondary active substances and cell structure to promote plant growth, yield and pollutants purification. But excessive electric field effects can also adversely affect plants, which are alleviated by enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, ascorbic acid cycle and osmoregulation. The electric field application strategies, electrical response molecular mechanisms of plants, and regulation mechanisms of the plant key substances synthesis and accumulation under electric field need to be further researched to promote the EKAP application in breeding, environmental protection and agricultural cultivation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphate recovery from water and wastewater serves as a feasible alternative to the exploitation of scarce phosphate rock resources. Currently, phosphate is recovered using adsorption-based techniques due to their desirable features, such as a low running cost, feasible operation, and high efficiency. Clay minerals (CMs), a group of earth-abundant resources, have attracted increasing interest in phosphate management. However, because the surface and crystal lattice of CMs are negatively charged, CMs are inefficient and have been replaced with cost-effective modified CMs (mCMs). This review comprehensively covers the current advances in mCM-mediated phosphate recovery. We first discussed the crystal features of natural CMs and the diverse techniques used for mCMs to enhance their phosphate-removal capacity. Subsequently, we covered the processes of mCM-driven phosphate management, namely, ion exchange, hydrogen bonding, crystallization, Lewis acid-base interactions, electrostatic interactions, precipitation, and electrostatic-ligand exchange. Further assessments revealed that mCMs can efficiently remove phosphate through multiple synergistic mechanisms. This review also discussed the effects of anions, humic acids, and cations on the mCMs management of phosphate and analyzed mCMs applications in various water environments, specifically, phosphate passivation materials in lake sediments and the phosphate management of municipal/seawater wastewater. We examined the reutilization of phosphate-loaded mCMs in agriculture from a circular economy perspective, and finally discussed the commercial application prospects of mCMs in environmental pollution remediation, which may help to avert the global phosphate-resource crisis and improve wastewater management. [Display omitted] • Advances in the classification and crystal structures of clay minerals (CMs) were discussed. • The efficiency of phosphate removal was assessed by comparing modified CMs (mCMs). • The adsorption mechanism of phosphate by mCMs was determined. • The applications of mCMs in diverse water environments were explored. • The challenges and recommendations for mCM-mediated phosphate management were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil microbiome is the cornerstone of sustaining soil ecosystem services and performs an array of vital soil functions. Manipulating soil microbiome is a promising strategy to regulate soil ecosystem function, however, the effect and underlying mechanism for chlorinated organic pollution remediation are limited and the capacity to simultaneously control multiple redox processes is still unclear. Here, the dynamics of the biocathode microbial community after separately or synchronously adding conductive material and acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL) were investigated from the perspectives of electron transfer and microbial assembly in γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH) polluted soil-based bioelectrochemical system. The resulting responses of NO 3 −/Fe(III)/SO 4 2− reduction, γ-HCH dechlorination, and CH 4 cumulation were also analyzed. Two conductive materials of biochar (BC) and magnetite nanoparticle (NaFe) and two AHLs including N-butanoyl homoserine lactone (C4-HSL) and 3-oxo-hexanoyl-homoserine lactone (3OC6-HSL) were applied. Exogenous additives facilitated γ-HCH dechlorination but alleviated and even inhibited CH 4 cumulation, with BC plus C4-HSL addition as the optimum. Adding BC/NaFe enriched Fe(III)-reducing bacteria and dechlorinators and selectively transferred more electrons to those electron sinks; C4-HSL/3OC6-HSL helped to increase biofilm aggregation; while BC plus C4-HSL stimulated the growth of dominant functional taxa and enhanced the compact microbial correlations. These findings broaden our insights and provide approaches to managing soil microbiomes to solve actual environmental emergencies. It shows an advanced strategy to inhibit greenhouse gas (CH 4) emission when COP reduction is facilitated to achieve win-win soil remediation. [Display omitted] • Soil-based bioelectrochemical system was designed and operated for soil remediation. • Soil microbiome was manipulated by regulating electron transfer and community assembly. • Dynamic core microbial functional taxa across the incubation were distinguished. • Adding biochar plus C4-HSL optimally accelerated γ-HCH dechlorination and inhibited CH 4 cumulation. • Greenhouse gas (CH 4) emission was remarkably inhibited when rapid γ-HCH reduction occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Janus photocathode of asymmetric wettability with hydrophobic oxygen storage layer and hydrophilic catalyst layer was successfully fabricated by graphite felt (GF) polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-hydrophobization and a subsequent hollow sphere NiFe 2 O 4 @ZnFe 2 O 4 (NF@ZF) Z-scheme photocatalysts coating on the other side of GF. The designed Janus electrode showed significantly higher H 2 O 2 production than hydrophilic (NF@ZF/GF) and hydrophobic (NF@ZF/PTFE/GF) electrodes, and achieved a higher faradaic efficiency of 72%, as well as a record H 2 O 2 production rate of 255.9 mg·L−1∙h−1, while maintaining a stable photoelectrochemical performance for 9 h at 2.8 mA∙cm−2 in Na 2 SO 4 solution. The two-electrode co-photoelectrolysis system by coupling the ORR with inorganic arsenic/organoarsenic oxidation can simultaneously produce H 2 O 2 at Janus photocathode and As (V) at Fe anode under a low energy consumption (a cell voltage of only 0.7 V), respectively, and then the generated As (V) could be rapidly removed (above 93%) by adsorption onto Fe (III) (hydro)oxides. [Display omitted] • Novel architecture of NiFe 2 O 4 @ZnFe 2 O 4 electrode with tunable wettability is proposed. • Designed Janus photoelectrode shows highly H 2 O 2 yield and low energy consumption. • Janus electrode mitigated the O 2 mass transport and adequate ion transport limitation. • Clever build Janus ‖ Fe cell in-situ Fenton achieves arsenic pollution remediation. • Generated low toxic arenates can be simultaneously immobilized on iron (hydro)oxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental contamination is aninsistent concern affecting human health and the ecosystem. Wastewater, containing heavy metals from industrial activities, significantly contributes to escalating water pollution. These metals can bioaccumulate in food chains, posing health risks even at low concentrations. Copper (Cu), an essential micronutrient, becomes toxic at high levels. Activities like mining and fungicide use have led to Copper contamination in soil, water, and sediment beyond safe levels. Copper widely used in industries, demands restraint of heavy metal ion release into wastewater for ecosystem ultrafiltration, membrane filtration, nanofiltration, and reverse osmosis, combat heavy metal pollution, with emphasis on copper.Physical and chemical approaches are efficient, large-scale feasibility may have drawbackssuch as they are costly, result in the production of sludge. In contrast, bioremediation, microbial intervention offers eco-friendly solutions for copper-contaminated soil. Bacteria and fungi facilitate these bioremediation avenues as cost-effective alternatives. This review article emphasizes on physical, chemical, and biological methods for removal of copper from the wastewater as well asdetailing microorganism's mechanisms to mobilize or immobilize copper in wastewater and soil. [Display omitted] • Copper is a vital metal for life, but too much can be toxic. • Various physical and chemical methods can remove copper from water. • Methods such as adsorption, filtration, and reverse osmosis can help reduce copper-heavy metal pollution. • Bioremediation uses living organisms to restore copper-contaminated soils. • This review explores the advantages and challenges of bioremediation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disposal of coffee shell waste on farmland, is a common practice that can causing the environmental and waste valuable resources. Carbonization has been identified as an effective method for transforming coffee shells into useful products that mitigate environmental pollution. Through the response surface methodology, the carbonization conditions of the coffee shells were optimized and its potential as a biochar-based slow-release urea fertilizer was explored. Experiments were conducted on coffee shell performance under varying carbonization conditions such as temperature (600–1000 °C), time (1–5 h), and heating rate (5–20 °C/min). The results indicated that the ideal urea adsorption was 56.3 mg/g, achieved under carbonization conditions of 2.83 h, 809 °C, and 15.3 °C/min. The optimal nutrient release rate within seven days was 45.4% under carbonization conditions of 3.19 h, 813 °C, and 15.0 °C/min. The infrared spectroscopy analysis indicates that carbonization conditions influenced the absorption peak intensity of coffee shell biochar, while the functional group types remain unchanged. The biochar exhibits diverse functional groups and abundant pores, making it a promising candidate for use as a biochar-based fertilizer material. Overall, the findings demonstrate an effective waste management approach that significantly reduces environmental pollutants while remediating pollution. • Carbonization can reduce coffee shell pollution and utilize waste reasonably. • The desirable properties of biochar was improved by optimizing the process. • The potential of coffee shell biochar for biochar-based fertilizers was explored. • Coffee shell biochar can contribute to sustainable development and circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese is a transition metal derived primarily from parent materials in soil. Weathered manganese, predominantly present as manganese oxides, is widely applied in ecological restoration owing to its large specific surface area and high reduction potential. Recently, manganese oxide (MnO x) and its modified materials have been increasingly reported for environmental pollution remediation due to their low toxicity, eco-friendliness and abundance. This review summarizes the synthesis, preparation, application and prospects of MnO x and its modified manganese-based materials, highlighting their effects on contaminated soil, water and air. MnO x and its derivatives are believed to find broader applications and marketability in environmental protection in the future. [Display omitted] • Reviews properties, mechanisms and applications of MnOx materials for environmental remediation. • Explores factors influencing MnOx catalytic and absorption efficiency. • Analyzes mechanistic pathways in MnOx catalysis and absorption. • Highlights the shortcomings of current research and prospects for the engineering application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Current methods of removing organic pollutants from water are becoming ineffective as the world population increases. In this study, a series of biorenewable triblock copolymers with hydrophobic poly(ε-caprolactone) block and hydrophilic poly(l-lactide) blocks were synthesized and tested as agents to remove environmental pollutants from an aqueous solution. The percent of pollutant removed and equilibrium inclusion constants were calculated for the polymers. These values were compared to previously known removal agents for their effectiveness. Results Triblock copolymer samples removed over 70% of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) phenanthrene from an aqueous solution, with selectivity for the adsorption of phenanthrene over other PAHs tested. The inclusion constant was 7.4 × 105 M−1 and adsorption capacity was 5.8 × 10−7 mol phenanthrene/g polymer. Rose Bengal was used to further probe the nature of interactions between the copolymers and a small molecule guest. Solid samples of the block-poly(l-lactide)–block-poly(ε-caprolactone)–block-poly(l-lactide) (PLLA–PCL–PLLA) systems were found to rapidly remove over 90% of Rose Bengal from aqueous solution, resulting in a complete disappearance of the characteristic pink color. Solutions of the copolymers in dichloromethane also removed Rose Bengal from water with a similar level of efficiency. Large inclusion constant values were obtained, ranging from 1.0 × 105 to 7.9 × 105 M−1, and the average adsorption capacity value of 6.2 × 10−7 mol/g polymer was determined. Aged polymer samples exhibited different adsorption characteristics and mechanistic theories for the removal of Rose Bengal were determined. Conclusion The triblock copolymer consisting of l-lactide and ε-caprolactone was effective in removing various organic pollutants in aqueous environments. It is a biorenewable material which leads to minimal waste production during its lifecycle. These polymers were in general more effective in removing organic pollutants than commercially available pollution removal systems.

In this work, it was developed three-dimensional (3D) porous hydrogel sponges produced by the freeze-dried process using chitosan polymer functionalized by 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA). These chitosan-based sponges were used as cationic adsorbents for the removal of anionic methyl orange (MO) dye, simulating a model organic pollutant in aqueous medium. Moreover, these porous 3D constructs were also evaluated as 'antibiotic-free' antibacterial materials against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively, which were used as model pathogens possibly found in contaminated hospital discharges. These 3D hydrogels were comprehensively characterized through morphological methods such as scanning electron microscopy and X-ray micro-computed tomography techniques, combined with FTIR, Raman, and UV-visible spectroscopy analyses. Additionally, the surface area, the degree of swelling, and the adsorption profiles and kinetics of these scaffolds were systematically investigated. The chemically thiolated chitosan (CHI-MUA) hydrogels were successfully produced with a supramolecular polymeric network based on hydrogen bonds, disulfide bonds, and hydrophobic interactions that resulted in higher stability in aqueous medium than hydrogels of pristine chitosan. CHI-MUA exhibited sponge-like three-dimensional structures, with highly interconnected and hierarchical pore size distribution with high porosity and surface area. These architectural aspects of the 3D sponges favoured the high adsorption capacity for MO dye (∼388 mg.g−1) in water with removal efficiency greater than 90% for MO solutions (from 20 mg.L−1–1200 mg.L−1). The adsorption data followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model and adsorption isotherm analysis and spectroscopy studies suggested a multilayer behaviour with coexistence of adsorbent-adsorbate and adsorbate-adsorbate interactions. Additionally, the in vitro evaluation of toxicity (MTT and LIVE-DEAD® assays) of 3D-sponges revealed a non-toxic response and preliminary suitability for bio-related applications. Importantly, the 3D-sponges composed of chitosan-thiolated derivative proved high antibacterial activity, specificity against P. aeruginosa (model hazardous pathogen), equivalent to conventional antibiotic drugs, while no lethality against S. aureus (reference commensal bacteria) was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The supply of affordable drinking and sufficiently clean water for human consumption is one of the world's foremost environmental problems and a large number of scientific research works are addressing this issue Various hazardous/toxic environmental contaminants in water bodies, both inorganic and organic (specifically heavy metals and dyes), have become a serious global problem. Nowadays, extensive efforts have been made to search for novel, cost effective and practical biosorbents derived from biomass resources with special attention to value added, biomass-based renewable materials. Lignin and (nano)material adorned lignin derived entities can proficiently and cost effectively remove organic/inorganic contaminants from aqueous media. As low cost of preparation is crucial for their wide applications in water/wastewater treatment (particularly industrial water), future investigations must be devoted to refining and processing the economic viability of low cost, green lignin-derived (nano)materials. Production of functionalized lignin, lignin supported metal/metal oxide nanocomposites or hydrogels is one of the effective approaches in (nano)technology. This review outlines recent research progresses, trends/challenges and future prospects about lignin-derived (nano)materials and their sustainable applications in wastewater treatment/purification, specifically focusing on adsorption and/or catalytic reduction/(photo)degradation of a variety of pollutants. [Display omitted] • Lignin-derived (nano)materials show remarkable potential for environmental pollution remediation. • Recent studies on the preparation of lignin-derived (nano)materials are introduced. • Catalytic degradation of nitroarenes, dyes, and removal of heavy metal, are presented. • Future challenges for environmental pollution remediation using lignin-derived (nano)materials are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification of unknown groundwater pollution sources is one of the most important premises in groundwater pollution prevention and remediation. In this paper, an exploratory application of a least squares method to identify the unknown groundwater pollution source is conducted. Supported by a small amount of observation data and the analytical solutions of the pollutant transport model, the initial concentration, the leakage location and the pollutant mass are identified by using the least squares method under a sand tank experiment and a gas station area. In the sand tank experiment, it is found that the fitting errors of three cross-sections are within 6%. In the gas station area, it is found that the results are nearly consistent with the site investigation information. The results indicate that the least squares method has considerable application values in the identification of groundwater pollution sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing concentration of heavy metals (HMs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the soil may impose a serious threat to living organisms due to their toxicity and the ability to accumulate in plant tissues. The present review focuses on the phylogenetic relationships, sources, biotransformation and accumulation potential of hyperaccumulators for the priority HMs and PAHs. This review provides an opportunity to reveal the role of hyperaccumulators in removal of HMs and PAHs from soils, to understand the relationships between pollutants and their influence on the environment and to find potential plant species for soil remediation. The phylogenetic analysis results showed that the hyperaccumulators of some chemicals (Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Zn, Cd) are clustered on the evolutionary tree and that the ability to hyperaccumulate different pollutants can be correlated either positively (Cd–Zn, Pb–Zn, Co–Cu, Cd–Pb) or negatively (Cu–PAHs, Co–Cd, Co–PAHs, Ni–PAHs, Cu–Ni, Mn–PAHs). Further research needs to be extended on the focus of commercializing the techniques including the native hyperaccumulators to remediate the highly contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Azo dyes are commonly used in textile color processing for their wide array of vibrant colors. However, in recent years these dyes have become of concern in wastewater management given their toxicity to humans and the environment. In the present work, researchers remediated water contaminated with azo dyes using silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) intercalated within cotton fabric as a catalyst, for their enhanced durability and reusability, in a reductive degradation method. Three azo dyes—methyl orange (MO), Congo red (CR), and Chicago Sky Blue 6B (CSBB)—were investigated. The azo degradation was monitored by UV/vis spectroscopy, degradation capacity, and turnover frequency (TOF). The Ag NP–cotton catalyst exhibited excellent degradation capacity for the dyes, i.e., MO (96.4% in 30 min), CR (96.5% in 18.5 min), and CSBB (99.8% in 21 min), with TOFs of 0.046 min−1, 0.082 min−1, and 0.056 min−1, respectively, using a 400 mg loading of catalyst for 100 mL of 25 mg L−1 dye. To keep their high reusability while maintaining high catalytic efficiency of >95% degradation after 10 cycles, Ag NPs immobilized within cotton fabric have promising potential as eco-friendly bio-embedded catalysts.