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The study focuses on the legal regulation of hazardous waste management as a special category of waste. The author examines the state of legal regulation of hazardous waste management in Ukraine from a historical perspective, focusing on the achievements and problems of the current legislation on hazardous waste management related to new challenges, primarily the Russian military aggression against Ukraine and the emergence of a large amount of hazardous waste of a new quality. The study examines in detail the evolution of national legislation in the field of waste management, starting with the adoption of the Law of Ukraine "On Waste" in 1998 and ending with the enactment of the new Law of Ukraine "On Waste Management" in 2022. The author notes the positive aspects of the 1998 Law, which for the first time established the basic principles and mechanisms of waste management, defined key terms, regulated the activities of waste collection, transportation, treatment and disposal, and the division of powers between executive authorities and local self-government bodies. However, over time, this law proved to be ineffective due to outdated approaches, lack of integration with European standards, insufficient regulation of hazardous waste and lack of incentives for recycling and reuse. The new legislation, adopted in 2022, introduces a number of innovative approaches, including a waste management hierarchy based on the principles of preventing waste generation, promoting its reuse, recovery or disposal. An important change is the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which obliges manufacturers to take responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products, including waste management. The new law also stimulates the creation of a modern waste management infrastructure, including the development of recycling facilities and waste collection systems, and introduces an integrated information system for accounting and reporting in this area. Based on the analysis, the author concludes that it is necessary to improve the current legislation on hazardous waste management, taking into account the current problems associated with the new conditions of its management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their detrimental and persistent impacts on the environment, it is imperative to manage and dispose of hazardous wastes (HW) in a secure manner. This study investigates the combustion characteristics and environmental impacts of using HW as alternative fuels in clinker production. The HW categories analyzed include industrial hazardous waste (IHW), medical hazardous waste (MHW), and household hazardous waste (HHW). Specifically, IHW consists mainly of waste mineral oils, waste organic solvents, organic resin wastes, waste residues, and waste coatings. MHW primarily consists of medical plastic products. HHW mainly includes packaging from waste pharmaceuticals, waste pesticides, disinfectants, and waste paints. Compared to traditional pulverized coal, hazardous waste alternative fuel (HWAF) exhibits a lower fixed carbon content, with its heat generation primarily dependent on volatile substances, and a higher ash content, chemically similar to coal ash. The combustion process of HWAF involves three stages: moisture evaporation (0 °C–150 °C), volatile matter combustion (150°C–400 °C), and fixed carbon combustion (400 °C–550 °C). The primary emissions from this process include CO 2 , CO, trace amounts of SO 2 , NO 2 , H 2 O, and various complex organic compounds such as carboxylic acids, alcohols, ketones, and aldehydes. While HWAF ignites more readily than pulverized coal, it burns more slowly and less completely. The incorporation of combustion by-products into the cement clinker formulation does not interfere with the clinker's hydration processes or reactions. HWAF ensures a reduced heavy metal input rate in the firing system without significantly impacting the heavy metal content in the clinker. Mortar samples produced with this clinker meet the heavy metal leaching standards, affirming the environmental safety of the cement product. Increasing the proportion of HWAF results in a reduction in standard coal consumption and an increase in CO 2 reduction, achieving a maximum coal saving of 3.67 kgce/t.cl and a CO 2 emission reduction of 10.11 kg/t.cl. This study presents a clean production model for the co-processing of HWAF, effectively transforming waste into valuable resources by using hazardous waste materials as alternative fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Secondary aluminum dross (SAD), a hazardous solid waste derived from the metal aluminum (Al) smelting process, contains 65−90 % aluminide and over 30 different impurity elements, thus being an alternative material for alumina ceramic production to replace traditional sources such as bauxite or industrial alumina powder. The presence of inherent impurities would seriously deteriorate the mechanical properties of ceramics prepared from SAD. This study proposed an innovative process involving grinding-alkali leaching-CO 2 -assisted in-situ precipitation of nano-alumina to effectively eliminate the influence of impurities on the ceramic mechanical properties. Grinding greatly reduced the median particle size from 67.4 to 3.17 μm, improving the particle structure and specific surface area. The active aluminum components were transferred from the interior of SAD particles to the surface to form nano-alumina by alkaline leaching and in-situ precipitation. The nano-alumina layer could completely coat the ground SAD particles. As a result, these impurities in SAD would not form the connected liquid phase but instead form isolated liquid phase points inside the particles during the high-temperature firing process. The sintering mechanism of ceramics changes from liquid phase sintering to solid phase sintering. The fracture mechanism of ceramics changes from intergranular fracture to transcrystalline fracture, and the mechanical properties of ceramics are greatly improved. Alumina ceramics sintered at 1500 °C showed the density, porosity, hardness and flexural strength of 3.42 g/cm3, 3.7 %, 1457 Hv, and 235 MPa, respectively. This process eliminates the negative effects of 21.54 % impurities in SAD and produces alumina ceramics that meet the 90 Al 2 O 3 ceramic standard. [Display omitted] • A process to prepare ceramics from SAD using in-situ nano-alumina precipitation. • Effect of impurities on mechanical properties of ceramics was eliminated. • The nano-alumina coating changes liquid phase sintering to solid phase sintering. • Alumina ceramic prepared from SAD met the 90 Al 2 O 3 ceramic standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Taking the 'W': Environmental Democracy's Role in Taming Deregulatory Neoliberalism" in Diplomatic History discusses the environmental diplomacy needed for common areas like the atmosphere and oceans. It highlights the efforts of grassroots activists, particularly women, who successfully pressured U.S. policy makers to ban ocean incineration of toxic waste. The article also explores the shift in ideology regarding ocean pollution and the eventual worldwide ban on ocean incineration in 1989, emphasizing the importance of environmental democracy and translocal activism in shaping policy decisions. [Extracted from the article]

Used lubricating oil is generated by various machinery after extended operation. It is also referred to as spent mobile oil. Extremely hazardous waste lubricating oil is detrimental to the environment because it produces oxidative products when additives break down. Used lubricating oil is classified as a hazardous waste substance and has a negative impact on the environment. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), carcinogenic substances and other impurities make lubricating oil poisonous and pose a serious threat to human health and the environment. Re‐refining is considered the preferred technology for resource conservation, waste minimisation and reduced environmental hazards. The present study focuses on optimising the method of re‐refining waste lubricating oil. The effects of various operating parameters such as refining time, refining temperature, solvent‐to‐used oil ratio and flocculant dosage have been extensively studied to maximise the percentage recovery of lubricating oil. Optimum process parameters are (i) a refining time of 80 min, (ii) a refining temperature of 48°C, (iii) solvent‐to‐waste oil ratio of 5:1 (w/w) and (iv) a flocculant dosage of 2 g/kg of solvent; the optimum yield was found to be 75% with the solvent extraction method and 78% with the extraction–flocculation method, respectively. The purity and physico‐chemical properties of the recovered oil were thoroughly analysed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ASTM standard methods. It was concluded that refined oil can effectively reduce the ongoing oil crisis and create a clean, healthy environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petroleum-based drilling cuttings (PBDCs), as hazardous waste, are characterized by high petroleum pollutant contents and complex compositions and must be properly treated. Their treatment by a hammermill thermal desorption system can generate a variety of products, necessitating better delineation of the transformation characteristics of organic matter at the molecular level. In this study, the transformation characteristics of organic matter in the treatment of PBDCs by a hammermill thermal desorption system have been analyzed by positive-ion atmospheric-pressure photo-ionization Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (+APPI FT-ICR MS). The results showed that the PBDCs contained large amounts of CH, CHO, and CHON compounds and a small amount of CHS compounds. Of these, CH and CHO compounds are easily separated and recovered by the hammermill thermal desorption treatment system. Most of this organic matter is separated directly through physical changes, whereas only 0.32% undergoes chemical reactions. The organic matter in the recovered petroleum and #110 industrial white oil was highly reproducible and similar in terms of saturation and aromaticity. The mineral composition of the PBDCs did not change significantly during treatment by the hammermill thermal desorption system. This research may provide theoretical guidance for the efficient treatment of PBDCs by the hammermill thermal desorption system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, antibiotic mycelial residue is categorized as hazardous waste. To achieve the harmless and resourceful disposal of cephalosporin, three types of biochars from cephalosporin mycelia residues, namely non-activated carbon (BC1), ZnCl2-activated carbon (BC2), and KOH-activated carbon (BC3), were respectively fabricated by high-temperature pyrolysis carbonization technology. These three kinds of biochars were characterized via iodine value, FTIR, and SEM, and the adsorption performance of the prepared biochars was investigated using cefuroxime (CXM) as the adsorption target. The results indicated that BC3 biochar possesses the most well-developed pores and the highest iodine value of 1367.41 mg/g; The most suitable dosage is 1.6 g/L, and the lower the pH, the more favorable the adsorption effect. The investigation of adsorption kinetics revealed that it conformed to the kinetic model of pseudo-second order, as well as the process of adsorption was governed by the chemical adsorption mechanism, the rate of adsorption was affected by the collective impact of the quantity of active sites present and the interaction strength between the CXM molecules and the biochar. The exploration of adsorption thermodynamics revealed that it aligned with the Langmuir model, the surface of biochar was relatively uniform, and the adsorption was mainly of low coverage; The calculation of thermodynamic parameters demonstrated that the adsorption was exothermic and spontaneous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently in steel enterprises, the mass and heat of hot blast furnace slag (BFS) are not fully recovered, and the produced chrome-containing sludge (CCS) poses a significant threat to the ecological environment. In this work, CCS together with other ingredients is added into hot BFS to produce high value-added glass-ceramic (GC), after the mixed molten slag is cooled down. The obtained GC shows excellent physical and chemical properties (bulk density: 2.76 g cm−3, water absorption: 0.059 %, compressive strength: 78 MPa, Vickers hardness: 7.54 GPa, acid resistance: 98.63 %, alkali resistance: 99.84 %, thermal conductivity: 1.049 W m−1 °C−1, and thermal expansivity: 6.56 × 10−6 m m−1 °C−1). These excellent physical and chemical properties render the as-prepared GC a high value-added building material. In addition, the leaching concentrations of total Cr element and Cr(VI) in the as-prepared GC are 1.6 mg L−1 and 1.03 mg L−1, respectively, which are below the standard threshold for hazardous waste extraction toxicity. Compared with the traditional sintering method, the sensible heat of the hot BFS can be used as the thermal source in the molten slag cooling method, which can save a lot of energy. The use of hot BFS and CCS to produce high value-added GC not only fully utilizes the mass and heat of hot BFS but also fixes the Cr element in the CCS within the crystalline phase of GC, thereby eliminating the pollution of CCS to the environment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct decomposition of H 2 S into H 2 and S is an attractive alternative to the Claus process, because CO x -free H 2 and S can be simultaneously recovered from an abundant and toxic waste gas, which has huge social economic and ecological environmental benefits. However, it is still a great challenge to achieve the direct H 2 S decomposition reaction with high efficiency due to the thermal equilibrium limitation. Herein, a core-shell structured Mo x C@ZrO 2 was developed as novel microwave catalyst for microwave catalytic H 2 S decomposition. More specifically, the H 2 S conversion over Mo x C@ZrO 2 catalyst is as high as 99.9% at 650 °C, which immensely surpasses the H 2 S equilibrium conversion (6.1% at 650 °C). This study provides an effective strategy for the design of highly active microwave catalysts, and supplies a strategy for efficiently catalytic decomposition of H 2 S waste and recovering high-value hydrogen and sulfur at lower reaction temperatures. [Display omitted] • H 2 S conversion is highly up to 99.9% at 650 °C under microwave irradiation. • Mo x C@ZrO 2 display excellent catalytic performance at low temperature in the MCRM. • Catalytic performance in the MCRM is much higher than that in the CRM. • Microwave irradiation can break chemical equilibrium of H 2 S decomposition reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofloc technology is instrumental in improving growth performance and yield in shellfish aquaculture, while leading to enhanced water quality through maintaining the nutrients level within a safe range. More specifically, toxic nitrogenous wastes are converted into beneficial microbial biomass known as "biofloc", contributing to improve shellfish immune system. Among the various parameters affecting the efficiency of the process is the carbon source and C:N ratio. In light of these, the present work critically reviews the effects of biofloc systems on growth performance, immunity and diseases resistance in shellfish production. Moreover, it scrutinizes the microbial diversity and nutritional composition of biofloc. Then, the application of the technology in various shellfish cultures, including shrimp, freshwater prawn, crabs, crayfish, clam, and oyster, is presented. Overall, biofloc systems contribute to enhanced shellfish survival rate to the highest value of 96–100% for marine shrimp, 95–99% for freshwater prawn, 70–83% for crayfish, 83–100% for oyster, Crassostrea sp. and up to 2% for mud crabs larvae through substantially reducing the ammonia level in the culture (summarized in Table 1 – Table 5). Finally, the main challenges in utilizing biofloc systems, i.e., suitable aeration and mixing and microbial mechanisms involved are also explained to shed light on future research directions in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spent carbon cathode (SCC) is one of the major hazardous solid wastes generated during the overhaul of electrolysis cells in the aluminum production process. SCC is not only rich in carbon resources but also contains soluble fluoride and cyanide, which gives it both recycling value and significant leaching toxicity. In this study, we explore the properties, emissions, and disposal strategies for SCC. Pyrometallurgy involves processes such as vacuum distillation, molten salt roasting, and high-temperature roasting. Hydrometallurgy describes various methods used to separate valuable components from leachate and prepare products. Collaborative disposal plays a positive role in treating SCC alongside other solid wastes. High-value utilization provides an approach to make full use of high-purity carbon-based materials. Finally, we analyze and summarize future prospects for the disposal of SCC. This study aims to contribute to the large-scale treatment and resource utilization of SCC while promoting circular economy principles and green development initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The letter to the editor discusses the issue of waste disposal, particularly hazardous waste, and its impact on planetary health. It highlights the illegal waste dumping practices in the Campania Region in southern Italy and the potential harm to human health. The letter also addresses the global issue of plastic waste and the challenges of recycling. It emphasizes the need for global and regional policies to promote sustainable behaviors and waste management. The letter concludes by emphasizing the role of family doctors in raising awareness and advocating for green choices to protect both individual and planetary health. [Extracted from the article]

Stabilization/solidification (S/S) is an effective method used to reduce the leaching of heavy metals from soils, which is a serious environmental problem when soil is contaminated with heavy metals. In this study, a new stabilizing agent consisting of acetate-ethylene copolymer emulsion (VAE)-hydrated calcium silicate-polycarboxylate (V-CSH-PCE), water-soluble thiourea-formaldehyde (WTF) resins, cement, and fly ash was prepared for the solidification of heavy metal-contaminated soil under low-temperature conditions. The results showed that the agents significantly enhanced the compressive properties of the soil. When 10% cement, 8% fly ash, 1.5% V-CSH-PCE, and 0.5% WTF were added, the compressive strength of the subsoil after 1 day of curing was 0.3755 MPa, which was nearly 12 times higher compared with a blank sample. Meanwhile, the leaching concentrations of Cu2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, and Cr3+ in the substrate were 2.52, 1.12, 1.32, and 0.51 mg/L, respectively, which were lower than the leaching standard of "Hazardous Waste Identification Standard Leaching Toxicity Identification (GB 5085.3-2007)". In addition, the compressive strength of the soil after 1 day of curing at a low temperature (4 °C) was 0.2915 MPa, which was 30.9% higher compared with the soil without the V-CSH-PCE. The results showed that the cement-fly ash-(V-CSH-PCE)-WTF mixture has good application prospects in improving the compressive strength of soil and stabilizing heavy metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oily sludge (OS) has long been regarded as a hazardous waste, and improper disposal may lead to serious environmental concerns and human health risks. Despite various methods having been proposed and applied to the treatment of OS, the oil occurrence states and properties in sludge are rarely characterized, which may directly link to the selection and effectiveness of treatment methods. Here, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), gas chromatography (GC), and four components (SARA) analysis were utilized to characterize the changes in the oil occurrence states and compositions in OS samples before and after high-speed stirring (HSS) treatment. Our results show a substantial reduction in the oil concentration of OS after HSS treatment (from 32.98% to 1.65%), while SARA analysis reveals a similar oil composition before and after treatment, suggesting the broad applicability of HSS in removing oil and its insignificant selectivity towards various hydrocarbon components. This is further supported by the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) analysis results, which show that the separated oil phase has a hydrocarbon composition similar to that of the original OS sample. The CLSM and fluorescence analysis suggest a homogeneous distribution of oil in the sludge, with relatively light components more concentrated in the pore systems between coarse mineral particles, whereas relatively heavy components tend to coexist with clay minerals. After HSS cleaning, both light and heavy components are removed to varying degrees, but light components are preferentially removed while heavy components tend to be retained in the sludge due to adsorption by clay minerals. This is consistent with TPH analysis, where a significant decrease in n-alkanes with lower carbon numbers (n-C14 to n-C20) was observed in the residual sample. Our findings demonstrate the dynamic response of oil occurrence states and compositions to the OS treatment process and highlight the importance of characterizing these fundamental properties prior to the selection of OS treatment methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal waste water treatment plants have a fundamental task, which is to rid waste water of toxic and health-threatening organic and inorganic substances, including unwanted microorganisms and other pollutants, with the highest possible efficiency so that the discharged water does not contaminate the natural environment, which happens in the case of imperfect cleaning. Current WWTPs usually have a preliminary, primary, and secondary stage, and in very few cases even a tertiary stage, which no longer guarantees the sufficient removal of pollutants from waste water. This research presents the current situation in different parts of the world concerning the possibility of solving the current situation regarding the tertiary and quaternary stages of this process, especially in small and rural WWTPs serving up to approx. 10,000 equivalent inhabitants, which could ensure the removal of so-called emerging pollutants, including microplastics, and would stop WWTPs being point sources of environmental contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold mining, even under strict environmental regulations, inevitably causes environmental impacts and liabilities. To address this, the study proposes a framework for environmental zoning around gold mines based on the distribution of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), pollution indices, and bioindicators. Soil samples were collected from municipalities affected by gold mining projects, and concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, and Cr were measured. Then, the Pollution Load Index (PLI) was calculated. A plant model was used for the biomonitoring of PTEs, and the Plant Vigor Index (PVI) was determined. Finally, environmental zoning was proposed through geospatial analysis combining PTEs, PLI, and PVI values. The concentrations of PTEs were as follows: As ranged from 1.7 to 892, Cd from 0.1 to 65.2, Pb from 18.5 to 2345, and Cr from 5.4 to 118.4. Spearman's rank correlation showed significant relations (ρ > 0.76) between bioindicators and PTE concentrations and PLI. The PVI correlated significantly with PTE concentrations (ρ − 0.41 to − 0.67) and PLI (ρ − 0.65). The municipalities were categorized into three zones: highly contaminated, moderately contaminated, and minimally contaminated. Overall, the environmental zoning maps serve as a management tool for environmental monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Petroleum hydrocarbons and their derivatives constitute the leading group of environmental pollutants worldwide. In the present global scenario, petroleum and natural gas production, exploration, petroleum refining, and other anthropogenic activities produce huge amounts of hazardous petroleum wastes that accumulate in the terrestrial and marine environment. Due to their carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and mutagenic characteristics, petroleum pollutants pose severe risks to human health and exert ecotoxicological effects on the ecosystems. To mitigate petroleum hydrocarbons (PHs) contamination, implementing "green technologies" for effective cleanup and restoration of an affected environment is considered as a pragmatic approach. This review provides a comprehensive outline of newly emerging bioremediation technologies, for instance; nanobioremediation, electrokinetic bioremediation, vermiremediation, multifunctional and sustainably implemented on-site applied biotechnologies such as; natural attenuation, biostimulation, bioaugmentation, bioventing, phytoremediation and multi-process hybrid technologies. Additionally, the scope of the effectiveness and limitations of individual technologies in treating the petroleum hydrocarbon polluted sites are also evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Cinangka Village in Bogor Regency is a traditional used battery recycling center in West Java, Indonesia. The smelting process was operated in open space, but because of adverse impacts, it has ceased since 2010. This activity generated a large amount of solid waste, categorized as hazardous and toxic materials, thereby polluting the air, land, and water. Because an area of Cinangka Village has been converted into a fishing pond, it is necessary to investigate whether the fish that live in this pond are accumulating heavy metals, thereby threatening and harming humans as consumers. This research is important for the innovative remediation of land contaminated with used battery smelting waste. METHODS: Analysis of lead, zinc, arsenic, and iron levels in water, sediment, fish, and aquatic plants, as well as histomorphology analysis of several fish organs, was performed. The safety aspect of consuming fish originating from this location was also calculated. For the used battery recycling area, lead and iron contaminate the environment in the highest concentrations, while arsenic and zinc are always detected but in low concentrations. FINDINGS: The results showed that sediment and water around the pond, previously a burning area of used battery smelting but 12 years after cessation, are polluted by heavy metals, not only lead, zinc, arsenic, and iron. Other metals are present because lead and lead oxide plates are impure and associated with other minerals. According to the lead concentration, the soil/sediment is still categorized as hazardous and toxic material and becomes a pollutant for the ecosystem. Water hyacinth plants that live in ponds are densely cultivated and contaminated with heavy metals. They can become heavy metal phytoremediators on the land where traditional used battery burning was performed. Goldfish from this area are contaminated with high levels of heavy metals and are unfortunately unsafe for consumption because zinc is perilous. Adults are only allowed 3 gram per week, while children may not consume goldfish from this fishing pond. Contaminating heavy metals also cause various damage to fish organs, namely, edema in the kidneys, melano-macrophage centers in the spleen and liver, edema and hyperplasia in the epithelial gills, and fatty degeneration in the liver and its lysed ovary cells. CONCLUSION: Consequently, land in Cinangka Village is still categorized as hazardous, and toxic waste and should not be converted into a fishing pond because the soil is a point source of pollution that contaminates fish with high concentrations of heavy metals and damages their organs. Consuming these goldfish will harm health and thus is prohibited for children. Cleaning and remediation of the environment is necessary and must cover the entire area. Meanwhile, water hyacinth plants can be used as phytoremediators in freshwater ponds to reduce heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is emerging as a promising technology for converting waste biomass into a dense coal-like product known as hydrochar. Oily sludge (OS), known for its toxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic effects, is classified as hazardous waste, posing negative implications for both humans and the ecosystem if improperly disposed. Consequently, the conversion of hazardous oily sludge into safe and renewable products offers significant benefits. To investigate the HTC process further, a design matrix consisting of 20 experimental runs was utilized, integrating results obtained from HTC experiments as input for response surface methodology (RSM). The variables were restricted to a temperature range of 175°C–250°C, a time span of 0.5–2 h, and a solid load range of 3%–8%. Analyzing the data, it was observed that raw sludge initially exhibited a hydrogen-to-carbon (H/C) ratio of 1.33 and an oxygen-to-carbon (O/C) ratio of 0.59. However, following HTC processing, these ratios decreased significantly to 0.18 (at 250°C, 2 h, 3% solid load) and 0.691 (at 250°C, 1 h, 5.5% solid load), respectively. These decreases can be attributed to dehydration and decarboxylation reactions that occurred during the HTC process. The model equation developed using RSM was: carbon content = 66.29 + 6.98A + 0.3515B–2.60C – 0.0412AB + 0.1730AC – 0.0037BC – 1.83A2 + 0.8005B2 – 0.945C2. Carbon densification increased from 1.09 to 1.45 with hydrochar retaining 66.5%–77.65% of the carbon. HTC holds promise as a sustainable technology for carbon and energy recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, the main pathway for the consumption of municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration fly ash has long been through stabilization pretreatment followed by landfill disposal in MSW landfill sites. The potential environmental risk of heavy metals contained in stabilized fly ash, which has a long span of landfill years and a huge stock, under the influence of complex landfill environments, is a prominent challenge to be faced by landfill management in the future. Based on the background of "non-standard co? landfill of fly ash and raw MSW", this paper focused on the effects of external environmental factors such as pH, DOM, ORP, stability, CO2 atmosphere and stabilizing agents, particle size on the leaching of heavy metals in landfill fly ash. The impact patterns of different influencing factors and the interaction effects between each factor were discussed, a and there potential environmental risks were evaluated. It is pointed out that the interaction of leachate water quality and internal environmental factors on the long-term leaching behavior and environmental risk of heavy metals in landfill fly ash is worthy of further study. Therefore, the implementation of the "exemption clause" in the historical landfill disposal of MSW incineration fly ash in China has not changed the hazardous waste attributes of fly ash Itself. In the future it is necessary to strengthen the collaborative attention to the hazardous and resource attributes of a large amount of stabilized fly ash stored in landfill. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

80% of the raw materials for industrial products in our country come from mineral resources, resulting in a large amount of industrial solid waste. Among them, red mud is a typical industrial hazardous waste. If its not properly disposed, it will cause harm to atmosphere, water, soil etc. At the same rime, red mud also has resource attributes. If reasonably utilized, It will replace some raw material, which meets the requirements of Chinese 14th Five Year Plan for the development of circular economy. This paper summarizes the current situation of red mud production, storage, and pollution in China, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of current comprehensive utilization methods. The production of red muds large, with a storage capacity of over hundreds of millions of tons. The pollution problem has become more prominent and its currently mainly applied in the fields of metallurgy, building materials, and environmental protection. The direction of large-scale resource utilization of red muds proposed, boost China to achieve the "carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goal". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional corporate governance mechanisms can improve corporate financial and non-financial disclosures. However, how corporate climate governance affects firms' waste disclosure remains unclear. Contributing to the emerging climate governance concept, this study investigates climate governance's impact on waste disclosure using a sample of U.S. non-financial firms from 2002 to 2019. This study makes two contributions to the disclosure and governance literature. First, it shows that high-quality climate governance improves firms' waste disclosure (including hazardous and non-hazardous waste disclosures). It reveals that climate governance quality affects firms' waste disclosure through several channels. Second, we show that higher waste disclosure and climate governance quality reduce firms' market performance. Climate governance quality has a significant positive moderating role in the relationship between waste disclosure and firms' market performance; higher climate governance quality positively impacts firms' market performance through waste disclosure. The results are robust to alternative proxies for waste disclosure, different regression techniques, and endogeneity issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum electrolysis spent cathode carbon (SCC), as typical solid hazardous waste, poses significant environmental risks. Harmless treatment of SCC and recycling of its carbon component are important research areas. In this study, SCC was subjected to microwave hydrothermal acid leaching to remove harmful components, followed by the production of high-quality graphite via iron-catalyzed graphitization. The effects of reaction temperature, heating time, and catalyst loading on the graphitization conversion of SCC were investigated. The catalytic graphitization process of SCC was optimized using the response surface method. The results show that when the reaction temperature is 1520 °C, the heating time is 85.24 min, and the catalyst loading is 46.15 wt%, the graphitization degree of the sample is 97.61 %. The samples prepared under the optimal conditions were characterized using XRD, Raman, SEM, and TEM. The results reveal that the catalytic graphitization process significantly influences the conversion of microcrystalline structures in SCC into graphite structures. The iron-catalyzed transformation of microcrystalline carbon was analyzed to elucidate the graphitization transformation mechanism. This study offers an effective pathway for the high-value utilization of SCC. It also serves as a technical reference for the catalytic graphitization conversion of carbon materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging contaminants (ECs) present a significant risk to both the ecological environment and human health. Landfill leachate (LL) often contains elevated EC levels, posing a potential risk to localized groundwater. This study aimed to characterize ECs in municipal solid waste landfills (MSWLs) and hazardous waste landfills (HWLs) in northeast (NE) China. One and three HWLs and MSWLs in NE China with varying types, operational years, and impermeable layers were selected as case studies, respectively. Statistical analysis of 62 indicators of nine ECs in leachate and the groundwater environment indicated the presence of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), antibiotics, alkylphenols (APs), and bisphenol A (BPA). The leachates of the four landfills exhibited elevated concentrations of ECs of 21.03 μg/L, 40.04 μg/L, 14.54 μg/L, and 43.05 μg/L for PFCs, antibiotics, Aps, and BPA, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the highest concentrations of ECs in groundwater and those in leachate as well as with operational duration of the landfill; in contrast, groundwater EC was negatively correlated with the degree of impermeability. This study can guide future management of ECs in landfills and hazardous waste sites in China, particularly in NE China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Umsatzsteuer-Rundschau is the property of De Gruyter 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.)

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In this study, hazardous wastes including fluff, dust, and scrubbing sludge were sampled in 2019 from two metal shredding facilities located in Wallonia, Belgium. To assess the extent of the contamination, a global approach combining chemical and biological techniques was used, to better reflect the risks to health and the environment. The samples investigated induced significant in vitro aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonistic bioactivities and estrogenic receptor (ERα) (ant)agonistic bioactivities in the respective CALUX (chemical activated luciferase gene expression) bioassays. The mutagenicity of the samples was investigated with the bacterial reverse gene mutation test using the Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains. Except for the sludge sample (site 3), all samples induced a mutagenic response in the TA98 strain (± S9 metabolic fraction) whereas in the TA100 strain (+ S9 metabolic fraction), only the sludge sample (site 2) showed a clear mutagenic effect. The in vivo toxicity/teratogenicity of the shredder wastes was further evaluated with zebrafish embryos. Except for the dust sample (site 2), all samples were found to be teratogenic as they returned teratogenic indexes (TIs) > 1. The high levels of contamination, the mutagenicity, and the teratogenicity of these shredder wastes raise significant concerns about their potential negative impacts on both human health and environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cobalt and nickel are vital metals for the transition to a decarbonized society, currently in critical supply conditions to meet future demands. The recovery of those metals from secondary sources can mitigate this issue, as well as treating hazardous waste and increasing its economic value. In this work, ionic polymers inspired by deep eutectic solvents (DES) were studied for cobalt and nickel recovery from representative recycling solutions. These polymers were prepared by simple and fast photopolymerization process combining [2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride (METAC) with a series of hydroxylated compounds (e.g. alcohol and phenolic compounds). Different driving forces for metal absorption; ionic interactions, hydrogen bonding coordination, acidity of the media and polymer swelling have been investigated. The poly(METAC:1-butanol) polymer showed the highest absorption capacity (46 ± 5 mg g−1 and 46 ± 4 mg g−1 for cobalt and nickel, respectively), competing with conventional materials. Moreover, the metal stripping and recovery step was investigated. Favourably, deionized water presented the highest desorption efficiency, in comparison with HCl, rendering this process 'greener' and highly cost-effective. Finally, the ionic polymers were successfully reused as absorbents for five absorption/desorption cycles, maintaining structural integrity. This approach can pose an alternative way of using systems inspired by DES, with application at a larger scale upon further optimizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most challenging types of artifact occurring within museum collections is unstable chloride-contaminated archaeological iron. A high chloride concentration causes cracking, flaking and leads to full mineralization, in effect making objects fragile. Consequently, removal of chloride ions plays a key role in stabilization treatment, while preserving the integrity of the corroded iron object. Despite the variety of stabilization methods, all have significant disadvantages, including a lack of sustainability. Within the framework of the Horizon Europe project GoGreen the potential of microbial biosorption to stabilize archaeological iron artefacts is being investigated. Dry biomass of the fungi Meyerozyma sp. and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was studied to remove chloride ions. Preliminary tests were carried out on artificially-aged steel samples. To assess the activities of the microorganisms' functional groups and biosorption capabilities as a potential green stabilization treatment, analytical techniques including FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and SEM-EDX were used. The results demonstrate two promising paths for the development of green stabilization treatments based on fungal biomass: passive adsorption into the cell wall and conversion of reactive corrosion products into more stable compounds. The use of microbial biomass opens up promising perspectives for the development of more sustainable solutions in archaeological iron stabilization, while avoiding the generation of toxic waste in our environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of employing indigenous cyanide-degrading bacterial strains for the treatment of cassava mill effluent (CME) in Nigeria, a hazardous waste material posing significant public health risks. The physicochemical properties and heavy metal concentrations in CME were determined through standard methodologies. Cyanide-degrading bacteria were isolated, characterized, and identified using molecular techniques. These strains were immobilized within a porous network of cross-linked biochar, confirmed through SEM imaging, and evaluated alongside free cells for CME bioremediation. Multiple variables were examined to assess the effluent's pollution load, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total dissolved solids (TDS), nitrate (NO3), phosphate (PO4), and cyanide levels, falling within respective ranges of (4.00-4.02), (2394-2618 S/cm), (985-1219 mg/L), (1556-1667 mg/L), (3459-3705 mg/L), (2709-2812 mg/L), (251-311 mg/L), (87.25-118 mg/L), and (25.00-28 mg/L). Copper was the most prevalent heavy metal in the effluent, while chromium was detected at the lowest levels, with mean values of 10.00-12.39 mg/L and 0.00-0.27 mg/L, respectively. The study revealed severe contamination of the effluent, above the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) threshold limit. The 16S rDNA of the cyanide degrading bacteria were deposited at the NCBI database and the following GenBank accession numbers were assigned (MK71248O, MK71281, MK712482, and MK712483) for Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis, Alcaligenes faecalis and Leuconostoc mesenteroides respectively. Results of the bioremediation approach demonstrated a substantial reduction in physicochemical parameters and heavy metal contents, indicating a promising biological treatment strategy to mitigate CME's adverse effects on public health. In conclusion, despite elevated physicochemical parameters and heavy metal concentrations in CME, this study offers a promising avenue for employing biological treatments to mitigate environmental and public health impacts. Further research and application of this technique hold substantial potential for cassava mill effluent management in Nigeria and other regions facing similar challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of a study of the mineralogical and chemical composition of zinc and lead metallurgical slags. These slags contain numerous elements, including toxic metals, which form conglomerates or multiphase intergrowths. The phase composition of slags is one of the main factors that determine their behaviour in weathering environments, that is, their ability to release metals when exposed to atmospheric factors. In this paper, the release of elements from slags and their mobility in a hypergenic environment is determined based on the results of leachability tests and on geochemical modelling, thus assessing the environmental impact of landfilled slags. The elements released from slags in the largest quantities are zinc and lead. Zn is leached out over a long period of time. It was found that after 12 years, the concentration of Zn in the eluate exceeds by 40 times the permissible value of 200 mg/kg for hazardous waste. The degree of leaching of lead from slags as a function of time (after 12 years), despite its significant solubility in water, is much lower than the degree of leaching of zinc. The most mobile phase components of slags in the studied hypergenic environment are the lead phases (anglesite and galena) and, to a lesser extent, the zinc phases (sphalerite and willemite). Anglesite and galena in almost the entire Eh-pH range, along with admixtures of elements, decompose into ionic forms: PbCl42−, Pb2+, and PbOH+. Sphalerite in the soil and water environment (oxidizing and acidic conditions) will decompose into the mobile ionic form Zn2+. Willemite, which is resistant to weathering, will undergo similar decomposition. It can therefore be assumed that the carriers of toxic metals are primarily lead sulphides and sulphates, zinc sulphides, and, less frequently, zinc, lead, and iron oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents innovations in green electronic and computing technologies. The importance and the status of the main subjects in green electronic and computing technologies are presented in this paper. In the last semicentennial, the planet suffered from rapid changes in climate. The planet is suffering from increasingly wild storms, hurricanes, typhoons, hard droughts, increases in seawater height, floods, seawater acidification, decreases in groundwater reserves, and increases in global temperatures. These climate changes may be irreversible if companies, organizations, governments, and individuals do not act daily and rapidly to save the planet. Unfortunately, the continuous growth in the number of computing devices, cellular devices, smartphones, and other smart devices over the last fifty years has resulted in a rapid increase in climate change. It is severely crucial to design energy-efficient "green" technologies and devices. Toxic waste from computing and cellular devices is rapidly filling up landfills and increasing air and water pollution. This electronic waste contains hazardous and toxic materials that pollute the environment and affect our health. Green computing and electronic engineering are employed to address this climate disaster. The development of green materials, green energy, waste, and recycling are the major objectives in innovation and research in green computing and electronics technologies. Energy-harvesting technologies can be used to produce and store green energy. Wearable active sensors and metamaterial antennas with circular split ring resonators (CSSRs) containing energy-harvesting units are presented in this paper. The measured bandwidth of the matched sensor is around 65% for VSWR, which is better than 3:1. The sensor gain is 14.1 dB at 2.62 GHz. A wideband 0.4 GHz to 6.4 GHz slot antenna with an RF energy-harvesting unit is presented in this paper. The Skyworks Schottky diode, SMS-7630, was used as the rectifier diode in the harvesting unit. If we transmit 20 dBm of RF power from a transmitting antenna that is located 0.2 m from the harvesting slot antenna at 2.4 GHz, the output voltage at the output port of the harvesting unit will be around 1 V. The power conversion efficiency of the metamaterial antenna dipole with metallic strips is around 75%. Wearable sensors with energy-harvesting units provide efficient, low-cost healthcare services that contribute to a green environment and minimize energy consumption. The measurement process and setups of wearable sensors are presented in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the booming of renewable clean energies towards reducing carbon emission, demands for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in applications to transportation vehicles and power stations are increasing exponentially. As a consequence, great pressures have been posed on the technological development and production of valuable elements key to LIBs, in addition to concerns about depletion of natural resources, environmental impacts, and management of waste batteries. In this paper, we compile recent information on lithium, nickel, and cobalt, the three most crucial elements utilized in LIBs, in terms of demands, current identified terrestrial resources, extraction technologies from primary natural resources and waste. Most nickel and cobalt are currently produced from high-grade sulfide ores via a pyrometallurgical approach. Increased demands have stimulated production of Ni and Co from low-grade laterites, which is commonly performed through the hydrometallurgical process. Most lithium exists in brines and is extracted via evaporation–precipitation in common industrial practice. It is noteworthy that at present, the pyrometallurgical process is energy-intensive and polluting in terms of gas emissions. Hydrometallurgical processes utilize large amounts of alkaline or acidic media in combination with reducing agents, generating hazardous waste streams. Traditional evaporation–precipitation consumes time, water, and land. Extraction of these elements from deep seas and recycling from waste are emerging as technologies. Advanced energy-saving and environmentally friendly processes are under extensive research and development and are crucial in the process of renewable clean energy implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the demand for natural and synthetic zeolites has surged due to their distinctive properties and myriad industrial applications. This research aims to synthesise crystalline zeolites by co-recycling two industrial wastes: salt slag (SS) and rice husk ash (RHA). Salt slag, a problematic by-product of secondary aluminium smelting, is classified as hazardous waste due to its reactive and leachable nature, though it is rich in aluminium. Conversely, RHA, an abundant and cost-effective by-product of the agro-food sector, boasts a high silicon content. These wastes were utilised as aluminium and silicon sources for synthesising various zeolites. This study examined the effects of temperature, ageing time, and sodium concentration on the formation of different zeolite phases and their crystallinity. Results indicated that increased Na+ concentration favoured sodalite (SOD) zeolite formation, whereas Linde type–A (LTA) zeolite formation was promoted at higher temperatures and extended ageing times. The formation range of the different zeolites was defined and supported by crystallographic, microstructural, and morphological analyses. Additionally, the thermal behaviour of the zeolites was investigated. This work underscores the potential to transform industrial waste, including hazardous materials like salt slag, into sustainable, high-value materials, fostering efficient waste co-recycling and promoting clean, sustainable industrial production through cross-sectoral industrial symbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spent bleaching clay (SBC) is a hazardous waste produced by vegetable oil refining industries. SBC contains a residual oil (RO) with a lot of organic and inorganic impurities and its disposal leads to severe environmental consequences. In this study, SBC regeneration by extraction, acid modification and pyrolysis under various conditions and biodiesel production were studied. The GC-MS of the extracted RO shows that the fatty acid content is in conformity with crude oil and is appropriate for biodiesel production. FTIR was recorded in order to evaluate the main functional groups of fresh-, spent-, regenerated bleaching clay. The specific surface area (SSA) of fresh bleaching clay (FBC) (166.1 ± 1.7 m2/g) was lower than regenerated bleaching clay (RBC) one. The highest SSA (252.1 ± 1.7 m2/g) was revealed by pyrolysis at 550°C and activation with 10% sulfuric acid. Subsequent increase in the acid concentration and temperature of pyrolysis caused a decrease in the SSA. The heavy metals concentration in RBC was lower than the limits for activated bleaching clay in the National Food Safety Standard. Hence, RBC effectively copes with heavy metal removal. The peroxide, anisidine, acid values and oxidation stability of oil bleached with RBC are comparable to the FBC. Implications: The disposal of spent bleaching clay from vegetable oil refining industries has been recognized as a significant environmental issue. After adsorbing the impurities, spent bleaching clay becomes contaminated with a high concentration of organic and inorganic substances, including residual oils, fatty acids, phospholipids, and potentially toxic heavy metals. This makes spent bleaching clay a hazardous waste and improper disposal can lead to severe environmental consequences. Due to the potential environmental harm caused by spent bleaching clay disposal, it is crucial for vegetable oil refining industries to adopt proper waste management practices. Overall, the proper management and disposal of spent bleaching clay is essential to prevent environmental contamination and safeguard human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of pulp and paper from recycled paper generates significant quantities of deinking paper sludge (DPS). This sludge contains a significant amount of organic matter (36%) as well as heavy metals such as Pb, Zn, and Cr. In this work, the incorporation of DPS (0%, 8%, 10%, and 12%) in the manufacture of clay bricks leads to valorization of this waste by showing that two of its contents considered problematic (organic matter and heavy metals) have several positive effects. It was found that the organic parts were transformed into pores after brick firing (850°C), which improved thermal insulation while keeping mechanical resistance in conformity with usual standards. For the heavy metals, which make DPS a hazardous waste, a leaching test was employed. The results show that these metals were trapped in the ceramic matrix after the firing of bricks at a high temperature, resulting in a final product that was not dangerous. Other tests were carried out on bricks with DPS to evaluate density, water absorption, shrinkage, loss on ignition, porosity, and microstructure in order to characterize this new product. It was concluded that DPS can be used in clay bricks as an asset for the formation of pores to enhance thermal insulation. The addition of DPS can be optimized at 10% to comply with the standard and not exceed the required values for shrinkage, water absorption, and loss on ignition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chromite ore processing residue (COPR), which is created during the chromite preparation process of chromite compounds, is considered hazardous waste because it contains chromium trivalent and chromium hexavalent. Recently, the harmless disposal of COPR has received a lot of research interest. COPR is a type of resource attributable to its abundant content of chromium, iron, aluminum, etc. This article starts from the main sources, properties, and pollution characteristics of COPR. It summarizes the methods and approaches used by scholars in recent years to handle COPR: chemical reduction, dry detoxification, pyrolysis, mineralization, solidification/stabilization, biotechnology, electrochemical methods, and resource utilization, achieving harmless treatment of COPR. Among them, research on resource utilization stands out, not only improving resource utilization efficiency but also reducing environmental pollution. This provides new ideas and directions for our future treatment of COPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioproduction of industrially relevant chemicals such as 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PD) is central to decarbonization of the economy. Currently, 1,2-PD is produced from fossil-derived feedstocks, contributing to CO 2 emission and generation of hazardous wastes. In this study, Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB 8052 (Cbei) , C. pasteurianum ATCC 6013 (Cpas), and Clostridium tyrobutyricum ATCC 25755 (Ctyro) were screened for the ability to transform methylglyoxal and acetol—precursors of 1,2-PD—to 1,2-PD in cultures exogenously supplemented with both compounds. Only Cbei transformed methylglyoxal to 1,2-PD (0.08 g/L). Subsequently, multiple recombinant strains of Cbei were engineered to express methylglyoxal-targeting aldo-keto reductases [ mgR , yeaE , yhdN (from Cpas), yqhD , and ydjG (from Enterobacter hormaechei UW0SKVC1), and glycerol dehydrogenase (gldA ; from Ctyro ]. With exogenous supplementation of methylglyoxal, the growth of the control strain of Cbei was impaired. Conversely, Cbei_ydjG , Cbei_yqhD , and Cbei_gldA showed 19.3 %, 130 % and 162 % enhanced growth following methylglyoxal challenge, respectively, whilst producing 0.100, 0.032, and 0.042 g/L 1,2-PD. Wildtype or recombinant strains of Cbei , Cpas , and Ctyro transformed ∼100 % of exogenously supplemented acetol to 1,2-PD. Cbei _ mgsA + mgR co-expressing methylglyoxal synthase (mgsA) and mgR (both from Cpas) produced up to 88 % more butanol on both glucose and lactose than the control strains. [Display omitted] • Clostridium beijerinckii transformed a fraction of exogenously supplemented methylglyoxal to 1,2-propanediol. • Two aldo-keto reductases and a glycerol dehydrogenase that transform cloning and heterologous expression. • YdjG from Enterobacter hormaechei UW0SKVC1 exhibited the highest 1,2-propandiol production from exogenous methylglyoxal. • Heterologous expression of mgR from Clostridium pasteurianum in Clostridium beijerinckii enhanced butanol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production of green energy from landfill gas in a cogeneration system is considered optimal in terms of the use of local renewable energy resources, which in the production process generates hazardous waste. Yet, the production of renewable energy is not without environmental effects. The objective of the work was to analyse the operation of the installation for biogas energy generated at a municipal waste landfill and to carry out tests on the waste (mineral deposit) from a heat exchanger generated in the exhaust manifold of a gas engine of the cogeneration unit. The objective of the work was to test waste (mineral deposit) from the heat exchanger in the exhaust manifold of the gas engine of the cogeneration unit. The conducted research constitutes a significant contribution to the identification and classification of hazardous waste generated in a cogeneration unit powered by landfill gas. The results of the research showed that the waste contains high concentrations of ecotoxic elements, i.e. heavy metals (arsenic, chromium, copper, nickel, zinc), molybdenum, antimony, sulphates, which have carcinogenic activity. Pioneering research performed as part of the leaching test showed that the permissible concentrations were exceeded for 11 parameters in the case of storage in a hazardous waste landfill, and for 6 parameters in the case of storage in an underground hazardous waste landfill. The research and analyses performed in this work will serve as input material for defining the methods of hazardous waste disposal from the cogeneration unit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic activities and increasing human population has led to one of the major global problems of heavy metal contamination in ecosystems and to the generation of a huge amount of waste material biomass. Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is the major contaminant introduced by various industrial effluents and activities into the ecosystem. Cr(VI) is a known mutagen and carcinogen with numerous detrimental effects on the health of humans, plants, and animals, jeopardizing the balance of ecosystems. Therefore, the remediation of such a hazardous toxic metal pollutant from the environment is necessary. Various physical and chemical methods are available for the sequestration of toxic metals. However, adsorption is recognized as a more efficient technology for Cr(VI) remediation. Adsorption by utilizing waste material biomass as adsorbents is a sustainable approach in remediating hazardous pollutants, thus serving the dual purpose of remediating Cr(VI) and exploiting waste material biomass in an eco- friendly manner. Agricultural biomass, industrial residues, forest residues, and food waste are the primary waste material biomass that could be employed, with different strategies, for the efficient sequestration of toxic Cr(VI). This review focuses on the use of diverse waste biomass, such as industrial and agricultural by-products, for the effective remediation of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. The review also focuses on the operational conditions that improve Cr(VI) remediation, describes the efficacy of various biomass materials and modifications, and assesses the general sustainability of these approaches to reducing Cr(VI) pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineral wool is commonly used in construction as thermal insulation material. After the product's lifetime, it is classified as hazardous waste if no trademark of the European Certification Board for Mineral Wool Products (EUCEB) or the German Institute for Quality Assurance and Labelling (RAL) exists. Mineral Wool Waste (MWW) is typically landfilled in Europe, which is challenging due to its low bulk density and dimensional stability. This circumstance highlights the need for alternative recycling methods that increase the recycling rate of construction and demolition (C&D) waste. This article outlines the recycling opportunities of MWW and focuses on the use of thermochemical treatment of different mixtures of input materials to produce a supplementary cementitious material (SCM). The material characterisation results and investigations on the binder suitability demonstrate that the slag fractions after the thermochemical treatment are well-qualified to be used as reactive binder components. Additionally, a material flow analysis was conducted to estimate the substitution potential of MWW as SCM in the Austrian cement industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 95.75% of erythromycin could be removed in 2 hr via electrolysis process. • 505 ARG and 150 MGE subtypes were assembled. • Linear regressions were identified among microbial richness, ARG and MGE subtype. • Aph(3′)-I, tnpA, and Mycolicibacterium were the drivers of the resistance. Erythromycin fermentation residue (EFR) represents a typical hazardous waste produced by the microbial pharmaceutical industry. Although electrolysis is promising for EFR disposal, its microbial threats remain unclear. Herein, metagenomics was coupled with the random forest technique to decipher the antibiotic resistance patterns of electrochemically treated EFR. Results showed that 95.75% of erythromycin could be removed in 2 hr. Electrolysis temporarily influenced EFR microbiota, where the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria increased, while those of Fusobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes decreased. A total of 505 antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) subtypes encoding resistance to 21 antibiotic types and 150 mobile genetic elements (MGEs), mainly including plasmid (72) and transposase (52) were assembled in EFR. Significant linear regression models were identified among microbial richness, ARG subtypes, and MGE numbers (r 2=0.50–0.81, p < 0.001). Physicochemical factors of EFR (Total nitrogen, total organic carbon, protein, and humus) regulated ARG and MGE assembly (%IncMSE value = 5.14-14.85). The core ARG, MGE, and microbe sets (93.08%-99.85%) successfully explained 89.71%–92.92% of total ARG and MGE abundances. Specifically, gene aph(3′)-I, transposase tnpA, and Mycolicibacterium were the primary drivers of the resistance dissemination system. This study also proposes efficient resistance mitigation measures, and provides recommendations for future management of antibiotic fermentation residue. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The safe and secure encapsulation or immobilization of nuclear waste, particularly low to intermediate‐level waste (accounting for ∼97% of the total volume of nuclear waste), has been a significant concern. Consequently, numerous studies have been conducted on various materials such as ordinary Portland cement‐based, bitumen, and ceramics for the purpose of waste encapsulation/immobilization. However, these studies generally offer a broad overview of materials performance without focusing on specific radioisotopes of concern. Cesium (Cs) and strontium (Sr) are important radioactive nuclides to consider for encapsulation, but the existing studies on immobilizing these elements are fragmented and lack a comprehensive understanding. This critical review article offers a thorough qualitative and quantitative analysis to uncover the primary trends/knowledge gaps within the field. It comprehensively delves into waste classifications/management and leaching assessments, followed by an exploration of the immobilization performance and durability issues of various traditional and advanced cementitious materials including low‐temperature chemically bonded ceramics such as alkali‐activated matrices and Mg‒K phosphates for the immobilization of Cs and Sr. Furthermore, the review article provides fresh insights and perspectives, including recommendations for improvements, novel technologies, and future trends in this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]