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This month's column is Part 2 of a contribution from my daughter Glenna, who recently completed her PhD studies in Environmental Science from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. Her article explores the current landscape of global critical raw materials (CRM) trends in research and the applications of atomic spectroscopy (AS), including inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), and X-ray analytical techniques in their identification of diverse industrial and environmental media, which have been essential in method validation and quantification of CRMs in complex matrices presenting high risks of interference. Some important examples to be presented include rare earth elements (REEs) in water leaching purification (WLP) residues that co-occur with radioactive materials; REEs and other metals in acid mine drainage (AMD) environments; REEs in coal combustion (fly ash) residues; arsenic (As) from groundwater treatment sediment; and platinum-group elements (PGEs) from sewage sludge. The article also classifies the different techniques in use at each stage of the CRM recovery train, investigates present challenges to each analytical method, and discusses the problem-solving tools used., - Rob Thomas, Column Editor Part 1 of this article focused on the overview of critical raw materials (CRMs), the global context for sustainable sourcing of CRMs, and the recent […]

The recycling of solid waste is widely regarded as the one of the most crucial issues of sustainability. This is particularly evident in the industrial sector, where the production of slags is huge and their handling presents a significant challenge. In this study, solid wastes from the industrial sector, namely ferrochrome slag (Fs) and fluorite tailings (Ft), were employed for the preparation of glass-ceramics by the sintering method. Three glasses were prepared by using the melt-quenching method, with a weight ratio of 60∼70 % Fs and 40∼30 % Ft (designated S30, S35, and S40, where the higher number indicates a greater Fs content). The sintering and crystallization behaviors of these glasses were characterized by hot-stage microscopy (HSM) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). It was observed that S40 glass exhibited a weak sintering capacity in comparison to that of S30 and S35 glass, which can be attributed to the robust crystallization propensity of S40 glass. The coarser glass frits were subjected to sintering experiments at varying temperatures, which demonstrates that the predominant crystalline phase is augite and that Cr 2 O 3 remains present in all sintered samples. Besides, a transition of the Cr 2 O 3 crystal into uvarovite was observed in S40 glass sintered at 1050 °C. The sintering time controlling experiment demonstrated that both wollastonite and the Ca-rich flow formed during sintering are vital for the formation of uvarovite. The formation of uvarovite can enhance the hardness of GCs. All GCs samples sintered at 1050 °C and 1120 °C exhibit comparable mechanical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, 3D printable organic-inorganic resins were developed using glycerol dimethacrylate, which can be synthesised from glycerol obtained as a by-product of the biodiesel production process, and wollastonite synthesised from reagent-grade materials, the by-product of the aluminium fluoride manufacturing process, silica gel waste or natural rock. The developed recyclable waste-based material was proven to be compatible with the widely available desktop DLP 3D PICO2 39 printer. It allowed straightforward additive manufacturing of true 3D structures with sub-millimetre spatial definition using standard printing parameters. This opens the way for the production of inorganic objects from reusable industrial waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extensive utilisation of zeolite catalysts in contemporary industries has resulted in the generation of considerable quantities of zeolite waste. The recycling of zeolite wastes for the preparation of highly crystalline mullite whiskers remains a significant research challenge. Mullite whiskers are often employed as enhancing the mechanical properties of ceramic matrix composites. In this study, we successfully synthesized mullite whiskers under the catalytic condition of 650 °C, utilising zeolite waste as the reaction source and MoO 3 as the liquid-phase catalyst. The XRD and SEM results indicate that the phase transition direction of the zeolite waste is influenced by the MoO 3 content and the sintering temperature. The powder mixture (M8-800), containing 8 wt% MoO 3 and subjected to a sintering temperature of 800 °C, exhibited the highest aspect ratio (22.89 ± 2.31). The synthesis of mullite whiskers via a low-temperature liquid-phase reaction mechanism is demonstrated by TEM experiments. The precursor droplets, comprising the catalyst and glass melt, serve as the initial material for whisker growth. This study proposes a novel and feasible solution for industrial waste recycling. • Exploring the phase transition between zeolite waste, Lazurite 1C, Albite low and mullite. • The interfacial engineering of the glass layer/mullite is discussed, and mullite follows a liquid-solid growth mechanism. • Exploring the industrial prospects for the preparation of mullite whiskers from zeolite wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing low-cost phase change composites (PCCs) with high performance is of significant importance in thermal energy storage. Herein, four PCCs were prepared with steel slag-fly ash solid wastes and eutectic salt (NaNO 3 -KNO 3), i.e., pure fly ash based PCC (pFA), pure steel slag based PCC (pSS), steel slag-fly ash based PCC (DSWM), and steel slag-fly ash-kaolin based PCC (HPCP). First, the optimal ratios of raw materials were predicted using the Facility for the Analysis of Chemical Thermodynamics (FactSage) software. Then, the composite's mechanical, thermal, and cyclic properties were characterized. The results indicate that the HPCP composite presents superior mechanical properties, with compressive strength and Young's modulus of 43.84 and 10563.86 MPa, respectively. Its thermal conductivity is 1.203 ± 0.054 W m−1 K−1, and after 40 thermal cycles, the mass and thermal conductivity decrease by 1.7 % and 5.2 %, respectively. The excellent properties of HPCP were due to the formation of a high-purity anorthite ceramic crystalline phase in PCC, which could minimize the defects of the porous medium, and reduce the leakage of encapsulated molten salts, thus enhancing the mechanical properties and cyclic thermal stability of the HPCP. This study can provide important guidance in preparing low-cost PCCs with industrial solid wastes. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water contamination is one of the biggest environmental issues the world is currently experiencing, and it is a result of growing industry and urbanization. The main causes of contaminated water are the textile industry and the colours included in waste effluent. The production of polymeric ferrite composites is the focus of this investigation. To the best of our knowledge these combinations of polymer and ferrites have not been synthesized before. The purpose of using these polymeric ferrite composites was to eliminate the artificially reactive Orange-122 dye from aqueous solutions. Various factors were optimized to get the best clearance, including pH (2–12), composite dose (0.01–0.3 g), contact time (10–120 min), temperature, and beginning dye concentration (20–200 mg/L). The acidic range (2–5) was shown to have the maximum dye removal of reactive dye, and the ideal composite dose was found to be 0.03 g/50 mL. Within the first sixty to ninety minutes, balance was reached. At 120–150 mg L–1, the maximum level of reactive dye clearance was attained. As the temperature was raised, the chosen dye was more effectively removed, indicating that the process was endothermic. Various models, including thermodynamic, kinetic, and equilibrium models, were used to verify. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common method for reducing waste and environmental problems brought on by landfills is to reuse waste, especially heavy metals such as iron. Automotive industrial waste containing Fe-rich metal is successfully transformed into a highly pure structure of Fe 2 O 3 using an etching method with HNO 3 acid. This resulting structure serves as a precursor for synthesizing LaNi 1-x Fe x O 3±δ perovskite conducting materials. The desired perovskite conductive phase can be produced by substituting Fe 2 O 3 -treated waste at the B-site (Ni position) before calcination at 1200 °C. However, LaNiO 3±δ and LaNi 0.6 Fe 0.4 O 3±δ could not be synthesized under ideal conditions, as indicated by XRD analysis using TOPAS software, which revealed the presence of undesirable phases. Both compounds, LaNiO 3±δ and LaNi 0.6 Fe 0.4 O 3±δ demonstrated electrical conductivity with values of 362 S/cm and 42 S/cm at 550 °C, respectively. Nonetheless, electrical conductivity of both compounds decreased due to unintended phase contamination during the synthesis process. The Fe 2 O 3 -substituted compounds at the Ni position, in an exact amount of 1 mol, exhibited minimal electrical conductivity. Although the synthesis conditions to produce a single phase of LaFeO 3±δ were identified, LaFeO 3±δ , despite its low electrical conductivity, is frequently used in electrical devices as a gas detection sensor. The thermal expansion coefficient of all synthesized waste samples is represented in the range of 12–13 × 10−6 °C−1, which is comparable to IT-SOFC electrolyte materials. Furthermore, microstructural investigation revealed that the introduction of Fe into LaNiO 3±δ reduced particle size and porosity, ultimately resulting in higher densities. These findings were confirmed through synchrotron radiation x-ray tomographic microscopy (SR-XTM) analysis. The research suggests that converting Fe-waste into a pure phase of Fe 2 O 3 using a strong acid etching technique can serve as a viable precursor for synthesizing conductive materials. This approach enhances the value of industrial waste while also reducing its volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Wood, paper, agricultural waste offers renewable resources for high-value chemicals. • Biorefineries need to combine biotechnological and physico-chemical approaches. • Industrial lignocellulosic waste has high potential in circular bioeconomy. Lignocellulosic biomass has a promising role in a circular bioeconomy and may be used to produce valuable molecules for green chemistry. Lignocellulosic biomass, such as food waste, agricultural waste, wood, paper or cardboard, corresponded to 15.7% of all waste produced in Europe in 2020, and has a high potential as a secondary raw material for industrial processes. This review first presents industrial lignocellulosic waste sources, in terms of their composition, quantities and types of lignocellulosic residues. Secondly, the possible high added-value chemicals obtained from transformation of lignocellulosic waste are detailed, as well as their potential for applications in the food industry, biomedical, energy or chemistry sectors, including as sources of polyphenols, enzymes, bioplastic precursors or biofuels. In a third part, various available transformation treatments, such as physical treatments with ultrasound or heat, chemical treatments with acids or bases, and biological treatments with enzymes or microorganisms, are presented. The last part discusses the perspectives of the use of lignocellulosic waste and the fact that decreasing the cost of transformation is one of the major issues for improving the use of lignocellulosic biomass in a circular economy and green chemistry approach, since it is currently often more expensive than petroleum-based counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Textile industries utilize a variety of dyes and chemicals, resulting in wastewater that contains numerous hazardous components. The release of these dyes into aquatic systems poses a serious environmental and harms human health due to their persistence, recalcitrance, and nonbiodegradability. To address this, microbial bioremediation and nano‐photocatalysts are commonly employed for the effective removal of dyes and toxic compounds from textile effluents. This review explores the ecofriendly and efficient use of microbes, such as fungi, yeast, bacteria, and algae, in dye treatment, emphasizing their role in decolorization and degradation. Additionally, microbial remediation is highlighted as a clean, effective, and safe technology for detoxifying azo dyes in wastewater. The review also compares microbial and nanoparticle methods for dye removal from textile wastewater, examining the environmental impact of each approach. Furthermore, we have highlighted challenges and prospects for the development direction and future of this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the development and optimization of La@SnO2–CaO composite catalysts for efficient photocatalytic degradation of malachite green dye in aqueous solutions under UV–vis light irradiation. The catalysts were prepared via conventional incipient-wetness impregnation and thoroughly characterized using advanced analytical techniques, including X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, N2 adsorption–desorption analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. To optimize photodegradation efficiency, the effects of three independent factors were systematically investigated using response surface methodology: Temperature, pH, and Sn/Ca molar ratio. Our results reveal optimal conditions for maximum dye degradation: pH 7, Sn/Ca molar ratio of 0.33, and a process time of 35 min, resulting in a maximum photodegradation efficiency of 98.80% for malachite green dye. Notably, visible light exhibited a more pronounced effect on dye degradation compared to UV light over time, with visible light achieving 25% greater dye removal after 60 min of illumination. Furthermore, the catalyst showed excellent recyclability, retaining 85% of its initial activity after five consecutive cycles. These findings contribute significantly to the development of sustainable methods for dye removal from wastewater and highlight the potential of La@SnO2–CaO composite catalysts in environmental remediation processes, particularly in treating textile industry effluents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of the current work is the study of the effect of the photo-catalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles. The photocatalytic destruction of methylene blue dye, a common water contaminant, was used to assess the photocatalytic efficiency of the ZnO nanoparticles from its aqueous solution by using ZnO nanoparticles thin film under UV light and laser irradiation. Sol–gel methods prepared ZnO nanoparticle thin films. X-ray diffraction and a field-emitted scanning electron microscope were utilized to examine the structure of the produced ZnO nanoparticles. An extended characterization by laser-based fluorescence and UV–visible spectroscopic techniques. The effects of operational parameters such as photo-catalyst load and contact time on photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue were investigated. The recent study's findings showed that irradiation with a UV laser increases with power density 25 µW/cm2, the photo-catalytic rate. The UV spectra show decay for the band at 664nm decreased and the concentration of M.B. in monomer form decayed to 26% of the original concentration in 24 h, while the band at 612 which is related to the dimer M.B. molecules was not affected. The laser irradiation did the same for monomer M.B. molecules in only 3 h, while the dimer decreased to 28% of its original concentration. The reaction mechanism has been discussed by molecular modelling. Quantum mechanical calculations at B3LYP/6-311g(d,p) level indicated that methylene blue changed from dimers to monomers in the existence of ZnO. The current results present a method for degrading M.B. not only in wastewater but also in the industrial waste scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum industrial refractory waste pose a huge risk to the environment, and hence a safe resource utilization is mandatory to build a green industrial construction industry. Herein, a thermoplastic polyester elastomers‐spent refractory material (TPEE‐SRM) modifier having a two‐layer structure of "protective layer‐functional layer" was developed. Scanning electron microscopy and surface area analysis revealed that Eps used in the protective layer formed a dense film layer (50% decrease in specific surface) with a 97.7% sequestration of fluoride. As the reaction occurred in an organic solution, fluoride posed no risk to the environment. TPEE functional layer itself melted and dissolved with asphalt under high‐temperature conditions, and hence it established a strong interfacial interaction with asphalt. This led to an increase of 99.73% in the complex modulus (G*) and 41.75% in the rutting‐resistance performance (Jnr) of the TPEE‐SRM composite modified asphalt than that of the pristine styrene‐butadiene‐styrene (SBS) modified asphalt. The performance of the TPEE‐SRM/SBS composite modified asphalt after 10 years of use was also evaluated by conducting high pressure aging simulation tests. The linear amplitude scanning test results showed a 27.1‐fold increase in Nf 5.0%. Owing to the efficient and green modification method, the newly designed TPEE‐SRM modifier poses great application prospects and feasibility for designing advanced functional modified asphalt for construction and highway industries alongside a suitable disposal aspect for SRM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, four types of "Juá" stem barks (Ziziphus joazeiro) were investigated for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions. The tested samples included natural coarse barks, and barks washed with water, ethanol–water, and NaOH solutions. The solvent-modified materials simulated the waste of the industrial extraction of saponins from bark. The valorization of these processing residues as sorbents was evaluated. The NaOH-washed sorbent exhibited the highest sorption capacity for Cu(II) (maximum sorption capacity ≈ 32 mg g−1). Ion exchange process between copper and exchangeable surface cations and electrostatic attraction of copper with carboxylate and phenolate groups were identified as the primary sorption mechanisms. Desorption tests revealed that a large portion of the metal sorbed (80%) was easily released from the sorbent thus suggesting, in line with the proposed mechanisms, the existence of weak sorbate-sorbent interactions. The sorptive process was found to be exothermic (∆H° = − 48.1 ± 13.5 kJ.mol−1) and thermodynamically favorable at lower temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractDye contamination of water is a global issue with significant environmental and health risks. This research explores the use of metal organic framework-5 (MOF-5) adsorbents modified with coal fly ash to effectively remove malachite green (MG) dye from water, addressing global dye pollution. Preliminary batch adsorption experiments showed that the addition of CFA to MOF-5 significantly increased the removal efficiency of MG dye (77.90 ± 1.74%) compared to using pristine MOF-5 (30.00 ± 2.14%). Batch adsorption studies showed that MG adsorption efficiency increased with shaking rate and contact time but decreased with adsorbent dosage. Temperature study reveals exothermic behavior of adsorption process. MOF-5/CFA adsorbents can be regenerated for up to four cycles. The results demonstrated that the highest adsorption efficiency of 80.32 ± 0.90% was achieved under the following conditions: a stirring speed of 300 rpm, a dosage of 0.3 g of MOF-5/CFA adsorbent, a temperature of 27 °C, 2 h contact time, and an initial dye concentration of 100 mg/L. Analysis of adsorption isotherms and kinetics revealed that the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models provided the most accurate fit to the experimental data. FTIR analysis revealed significant functional groups in the prepared adsorbent and only minor spectral changes in the spent adsorbents. SEM analysis showed a rough, porous MOF-5/CFA surface before dye adsorption, becoming smoother and less porous afterwards. This study demonstrates the promise of MOF-5/CFA as an alternative adsorbent for the removal of MG dyes from water, paving the way for advances in wastewater treatment and the sustainable use of industrial waste materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key goal of environmental policies and circular economy strategies in the construction sector is to convert demolition and industrial wastes into reusable materials. As an industrial by-product, Waste marble (WM), has the potential to replace cement and fine aggregate in concrete which helps with saving natural resources and reducing environmental harm. While many studies have so far investigated the effect of WM on compressive strength (CS), it is undeniable that conducting experimental activities requires time, money, and re-testing with changing materials and conditions. Hence, this study seeks to move from traditional experimental approaches towards artificial intelligence-driven approaches by developing three models—artificial neural network (ANN) and hybrid ANN with ant colony optimization (ACO) and biogeography-based optimization (BBO) to predict the CS of WM concrete. For this purpose, a comprehensive dataset including 1135 data records is employed from the literature. The models' performance is assessed using statistical metrics and error histograms, and a K-fold cross-validation analysis is applied to avoid overfitting problems, emphasize the models' reliable predictive capabilities, and generalize them. The statistical metrics indicated that the ANN-BBO model performed best with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.9950 and root mean squared error (RMSE) of 1.2017 MPa. Besides, the error distribution results revealed that the ANN-BBO outperformed the ANN and ANN-ACO with a narrower range of errors so that 98% of the predicted data points in the training phase by the ANN-BBO model experienced errors in the range of [-10%, 10%], whereas for the ANN-ACO and ANN models, this percentage was 85% and 79%, respectively. Additionally, the study employed SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis to clarify the impact of input variables on prediction accuracy and found that the specimen's age is the most influential variable. Eventually, to validate the ANN-BBO, a comparison was performed with the results of previous studies' models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the textile industry is crucial to economic development, it is a significant polluter of global water sources through its wastewater discharge, which endangers aquatic ecosystems and neighboring communities. This study focuses on stakeholder perceptions from farming and fishing communities related to wastewater management in the Bangladesh textile industry. Using focus group discussions with stakeholders that focused on sustainability values and a Resource Nexus framing, the results emphasise the adverse effects of textile wastewater on neighbouring communities, spanning agriculture, livestock, and ecological resources. The findings also underscore a significant need for collaboration between the textile industry and neighbouring communities, emphasising the ongoing obligation of governance resources, such as monitoring, regulations, and proactive measures and advocates for engaging different stakeholders in the formulation of robust policies, stringent regulations, and concerted efforts across industry, government, and communities to deliver improved governmental monitoring, enforcement of regulations and transparency in wastewater management practices in the textile industry of Bangladesh. The study suggests that a Water-Energy-Ecosystems-Food (WEEF) Resource Nexus approach can enhance decision-making, promoting sustainable energy infrastructure, encourage increased treated wastewater reuse, and facilitate effective management for environmental resilience and socio-ecological systems sustainability. This study contributes valuable insights elicited from a WEEF Resource Nexus approach, offering guidance for policymakers, industry practitioners, and researchers in the textile industry and beyond, aiding in the understanding of resilient industry-community ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malathion is one of the commonly used pesticides in India which is toxic as per the World Health Organization. Its residue has been found in industrial effluent, water streams, and agricultural products. Various analytical methods such as gas chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, and thin‐layer chromatography were used for identifying the concentration of pesticides in aqueous phase. Though gas chromatography is one of the best available techniques in pesticide analysis, it involves higher cost. In this study, simple spectrophotometric methods for identifying the malathion in aqueous phase are experimented and compared using UV visible double beam spectrophotometer. Comparing these two methods will help us to select the most suitable method for specific analytical needs, considering factors such as accuracy, sensitivity, ease of use, and safety. This comparative analysis aids in choosing the best method for reliable and efficient determination of malathion. A regression analysis of Beers–Lambert plots showed a good correlation in the concentration range of 0.5–15 mg/L for the abovementioned two spectrophotometrical methods. The results showed that potassium bromate exhibits rapid, stable color complex and linearity in absorbance versus concentration study when compared with ammonium meta vanadate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a comprehensive benchmarking analysis of merit performance factors in the Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP) of the textile industry. The study aims to identify and evaluate key factors that contribute to the efficient operation and performance of ETPs. The performance of ETP was analyzed by valuable data gained from figures of PH, Dissolved oxygen, Dissolved solids, Suspended solids, Density, COD and BOD. The technical trends showed the deviations in the working conditions of Effluent Treatment Plant by variation in temperature. This variation is achieved by varying the settling time of wastewater in the sedimentation tank during the working process. The required dosing, plant efficiency and economic factors were taken into account. The Plant efficiency was determined to be 83.5% at normal conditions of water entering at temperature of 30°C and pressure of 1 atm along with addition of coagulants and flocculants in the wastewater. While the efficiency of the ETP plant was calculated about 88% using a Compact photometer at elevated conditions of temperature such as > 45°C, while at other temperatures the efficiency decreases significantly due to several reasons. The operating time of water treatment was decreased due to the variations in temperature of wastewater while other conditions kept constant like pressure, flow rates of water and chemicals (Polyacrylamide and Polymeric Ferric Sulfate). The usage of coagulants and flocculants at optimum conditions has been discussed in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of value-added bio-compounds from rejuvenated sources and their recruitment for healthcare services are paramount objectives in the agenda of white biotechnology. Hereupon, the current study focused on economic production of single cell oils (SCOs) from oleaginous fungi Alternaria sp. (A-OS) and Drechslera sp. (D-OS) using cheese whey waste stream, followed by their evaluation as antibiofilm and anticancer agents, for the first time. As a sole substrate for growth, the whey aided in lipid accumulation by 3.22 and 4.33 g/L, which representing 45.3 and 48.2% lipid content in Drechslera sp. (D-OS) and Alternaria sp. (A-OS), respectively. Meanwhile, a higher unsaturation degree was detected in A-OS by 62.18% comparing to 53.15% of D-OS, with advantageous presence of omega-6 poly unsaturated fatty acid by 22.67% and 15.04% for A-OS and D-OD, respectively, as revealed by GC-MS and FTIR characterization analysis. Interestingly, an eminent and significant (P ≤ 0.05) antibiofilm potency was observed in a dose-dependent modality upon employing both SCOs as antibiofilm agents. Whereas, 100 µg/mL of A-OS recorded superior inhibition of P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and C. albicans biofilms development by 84.10 ± 0.445, 90.37 ± 0.065 and 94.96 ± 0.21%, respectively. Whereas, D-OS (100 µg/mL) thwarted the biofilms of P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and C. albicans by 47.41 ± 2.83, 62.63 ± 5.82 and 78.67 ± 0.23%, correspondingly. Besides, the metabolic performance of cells within biofilm matrix, protein, carbohydrate contents and hydrophobicity of examined biofilms were also curtailed in a significant correlation with biofilm biomass (r ≥ 0.9). Further, as anticancer agents, D-OS recorded higher potency against A549 and CaCo-2 cell lines with IC50 values of 2.55 and 3.425% and SI values of 10.1 and 7.5, respectively. However, A-OS recorded 8.275% and 2.88 for IC50 and SI of Caco-2 cells, respectively. Additionally, A-OS activated caspase 3 by 64.23 ± 1.18% and 53.77 ± 0.995% more than D-OS (52.09 ± 0.222% and 49.72 ± 0.952%) in A549 and Caco-2 cells, respectively. Furthermore, the enzymes, which associated with cancer invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis (i.e., MMP2 and MMP9) were strongly inhibited by A-OS with 18.58% and 8.295%, respectively as IC50 values; while D-OS results recorded 23.61% and 13.16%, respectively, which could be ascribed to the higher ω-6/ω-3 contents of A-OS. The promising results of the current study opens up the vision to employ SCOs as anti-infective nutraceuticals and in complementary/alternative therapy and prophylactic programs as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing low-cost, high-performance oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts is crucial for the commercialization of fuel cells and zinc-air batteries. Herein, we report a lignin-derived Fe/N co-doped 3D porous carbon electrocatalyst Fe-NLC-1 as an alternative to commercial Pt/C catalysts, which was synthesized by a green and facile in situ carbonization strategy. Fe-NLC-1 exhibits higher oxygen reduction activity with a half-wave potential (E 1/2) of 0.90 V vs. RHE than commercial 20 wt% Pt/C (E 1/2 = 0.85 V) in the alkaline conditions, as well as excellent methanol tolerance and stability. Furthermore, the Zn-air battery loaded with Fe-NLC-1 exhibits a maximum power density of 125 mW cm−2, an open circuit voltage of 1.477 V, and stable discharge performance, which are comparable or even better than the commercial Pt/C. This study highlights the potential of biomass-derived porous carbon materials for the development of high-performance ORR electrocatalysts. [Display omitted] • Industrial waste lignosulfonate is used to prepare an oxygen reduction catalyst. • The precursor of the porous carbon material is prepared using an in-situ template method. • Fe-NLC-1 with a 3D porous structure has a high specific surface area and excellent ORR performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, industrial water pollution represents a significant global challenge, with the potential to adversely impact human health and the integrity of ecosystems. The continuous increase in global consumption has resulted in an exponential rise in the use of dyes, which have become one of the major water pollutants, causing significant environmental impacts. In order to address these concerns, a number of wastewater treatment methods have been developed, with a particular focus on physicochemical approaches, such as adsorption. The objective of this study is to investigate the potential of a bio-based material derived from olive oil pomace (OOP) as an environmentally friendly bio-adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB), a cationic dye commonly found in textile effluents. The biobased material was initially characterized by determining the point of zero charge (pHpzc) and using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Subsequently, a comprehensive analysis was conducted, evaluating the impact of specific physicochemical parameters on MB adsorption, which included a thorough examination of the kinetic and thermodynamic aspects. The adsorption process was characterized using Langmuir, Freundlich, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and Dubinin Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. The results suggest that the equilibrium of adsorption is achieved within ca. 200 min, following pseudo-second-order kinetics. The optimal conditions, including adsorbent mass, temperature, bulk pH, and dye concentration, yielded a maximum adsorption capacity of ca. 93% (i.e., 428 mg g−1) for a pomace concentration of 450 mg L−1. The results suggest a monolayer adsorption process with preferential electrostatic interactions between the dye and the pomace adsorbent. This is supported by the application of Langmuir, BET, Freundlich, and D-R isotherm models. The thermodynamic analysis indicates that the adsorption process is spontaneous and exothermic. This work presents a sustainable solution for mitigating MB contamination in wastewater streams while simultaneously valorizing OOP, an agricultural by-product that presents risks to human health and the environment. In conclusion, this approach offers an innovative ecological alternative to synthetic adsorbents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first discovery of methanogens led to the formation of a new domain of life known as Archaea. The Archaea domain exhibits properties vastly different from previously known Bacteria and Eucarya domains. However, for a certain multi-step process, a syntrophic relationship between organisms from all domains is needed. This process is called methanogenesis and is defined as the biological production of methane. Different methanogenic pathways prevail depending on substrate availability and the employed order of methanogenic Archaea. Most methanogens reduce carbon dioxide to methane with hydrogen through a hydrogenotrophic pathway. For hydrogen activation, a group of enzymes called hydrogenases is required. Regardless of the methanogenic pathway, electrons are carried between microorganisms by hydrogen. Naturally occurring processes, such as methanogenesis, can be engineered for industrial use. With the growth and emergence of new industries, the amount of produced industrial waste is an ever-growing environmental problem. For successful wastewater remediation, a syntrophic correlation between various microorganisms is needed. The composition of microorganisms depends on wastewater type, organic loading rates, anaerobic reactor design, pH, and temperature. The last step of anaerobic wastewater treatment is production of biomethane by methanogenesis, which is thought to be a cost-effective means of energy production for this renewable biogas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The extraction of mining resources, as well as processing processes such as ore beneficiation and smelting, generate large amounts of tailings that are difficult to directly utilize. Meanwhile, substantial filling materials are required for the voids formed after mining operations, and the environmental issues and safety hazards brought on by massive solid waste disposal cannot be ignored. By utilizing solid waste with alkaline and pozzolanic activity as the binder component and gold tailings as filler aggregate to prepare filler material to fill up the void areas, the purpose of waste treatment can be achieved. In this study, salt sludge, steel slag, ground granulated blast furnace slag, and gold tailings were used to prepare all-solid waste fluidized filling material for filling mine void areas, which not only solves the engineering safety problem of easy collapse of the mine airspace in the mining process but also ensures a backfill effect with high strength, which continuously guarantees the uninterrupted progress of the mining project. At the same time, the preparation of fluidized materials can consume a large amount of tailings and other solid waste, solving the problem of their stockpiling. The components of the solid wastes used are all general industrial solid wastes, so the preparation of the fluidized materials will not have an impact on the surrounding environment. The effects of binder ratios on the workability of the filling materials were investigated by means of the slump and slump flow tests. Combined with the unconfined compressive strength test, the change in backfill material strength with curing age and the water–binder ratio was studied. The experimental results showed that the slump and slump flow value of the filling material were positively correlated with the water–binder ratio. The water–binder ratio range satisfying a slump value of 180~260 mm and a slump flow value not less than 400 mm was 0.95~1.106. However, the strength decreased with the increase in the water–binder ratio, conforming to a hyperbolic relationship. The all-solid waste fluidized filling material had strengths not less than 0.22, 1.09, and 1.95 MPa at 3, 7, and 28 d, respectively, meeting the workability requirements. Finally, a method for determining the optimal range of water–binder ratio considering both workability performance and strength is proposed based on the relationship between slump value, slump flow value, unconfined compressive strength, and the water–binder ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling and reusing industrial waste and by-products are topics of great importance across all industries, but they hold particular significance in the metal industry. Aluminum, the most widely used non-ferrous metal globally, generates considerable waste during production, including dross, salt slag, spent carbon cathode and bauxite residue. Extensive research has been conducted to recycle and re-extract the remaining aluminum from these wastes. Given their varied environmental impacts, recycling these materials to maximize residue utilization is crucial. The components of dross, salt slag, and bauxite residue include aluminum and various oxides. Through recycling, alumina can be extracted using processes such as pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy, which involve leaching, iron oxide separation, and the production of alumina salt. Initially, the paper will provide a brief introduction to the generation of aluminum residues—namely, dross, salt slag, and bauxite residue—including their environmental impacts, followed by an exploration of their potential applications in sectors such as environmental management, energy, and construction materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Syntactic foam composite (SFC) has the potential to substitute the conventional material used in damage-tolerance, thermal insulation, and weight-sensitive applications such as automotive parts, submarine structures, etc. Here, SFCs were developed by varying the weight fraction of cenosphere (CS) content from 0-40 wt. % in a polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) matrix. This investigation provides the terse behavior of the viscoelastic properties of 3D-printed PETG/CS foam composites. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that the initial degradation temperature (Ti) and the temperature at 50% mass loss (T50) of the composite filament increased with the addition of CS particles, indicating improved thermal stability. The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results revealed that the storage modulus of SFC increased with increasing cenosphere content. The foam composite's glass transition temperature (78.9 ± 0.35 °C) is lower by 4 °C than pure PETG. This underscores the potential of the developed syntactic foam composite to effectively utilize industrial waste fly ash through 3D printing routine, thereby promoting sustainable manufacturing practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, metal-doped quaternary nano ferrites (Co0.5Zn0.25M0.25Fe2O4, M = Ba, Cu, Mn, Ni and Sr) were synthesized and evaluated for their efficiency in removing Direct Orange-108 Acid Dye from aqueous solutions. The adsorption performance of these materials was systematically investigated under various conditions. Optimal pH levels for dye removal were found to be pH 2 (41.45 mg/g), pH 2 (36.37 mg/g mg/g), pH 4 (31.13 mg/g), pH 4 (44.75 mg/g), and pH and 3 (39.62 mg/g) at optimal dosage of 0.05 g/50 mL and at an initial concentration of at 75 ppm and 50 ppm for Co0.5Zn0.25Ba0.25Fe2O4, Co0.5Zn0.25Cu0.25Fe2O4, Co0.5Zn0.25Mn0.25Fe2O4, Co0.5Zn0.25Ni0.25Fe2O4 and Co0.5Zn0.25Sr0.25Fe2O4 respectively. Additionally, the study revealed that an optimum temperature of 40 °C enhanced the adsorption efficiency, resulting in adsorption capacities of 41.92 mg/g, 40.56 mg/g, 33.22 mg/g, 48.00 mg/g, and 43.71 mg/g for Co0.5Zn0.25Ba0.25Fe2O4, Co0.5Zn0.25Cu0.25Fe2O4, Co0.5Zn0.25Mn0.25Fe2O4, Co0.5Zn0.25Ni0.25Fe2O4 and Co0.5Zn0.25Sr0.25Fe2O4 respectively. The shaking time with optimal results were obtained at 45 and 60 min. Similarly, as a photocatalyst have optimal pH at 2, 3 and 4, optimum dose 0.05 g/50 mL, initial concentration of dye was 50 and 75 ppm with contact time of 45 and 60 minutes at 40 °C as optimum temperature. The pseudo second order adsorption kinetic model and Langmuir adsorption equilibrium isotherm displayed strong fitting for experimental data. While degradation kinetic follow BMG and second kinetic model. NH4OH solution showed maximum desorption The thermodynamic study demonstrated the exothermic character. The adsorption study of real textile effluents was also conducted that yielded valuable information. Highlights: Novel metal doped quaternary nano ferrites Co0.5Zn0.25M0.25Fe2O4 (M = Ba, Cu, Mn, Ni and Sr) were synthesized, characterized, and used for dye adsorption. Langmuir adsorption isotherm and pseudo second order kinetic model fitted best and proved most appropriate for this study. The size, changeable properties and shape are the most notable characteristics of nano ferrites, therefore the use of ferrites in many applications is enhancing day by day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Anil River estuary (ARE), which is crucial for São Luís Island's socioeconomic well-being, faces substantial human pressure due to its urban location, hastening the eutrophication process. This study, which was conducted from 2022 to 2023, aimed to assess trophic levels across the ARE. Using a multiparametric probe, we analysed the pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, oxygen saturation, salinity, and total dissolved solids quarterly during the rainy and dry seasons at six sampling points. The nutrient analysis included nitrite, nitrate, ammonium ions, phosphate, total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP). Trophic index (TRIX) values categorised the ARE as eutrophic (sector 1) or hypereutrophic (sector 2). The dry season exhibited relatively high trophic levels, indicating that the ARE was hypereutrophic. Sector 2, influenced by concentrated nutrients and chlorophyll-a, exhibited increased trophic status from domestic and industrial effluent discharge. Rainy season data at the downstream from the point 3 recorded the maximum DIN:DIP ratio, indicating phosphorus limitation. Monitoring estuarine trophic states is vital for kerbing eutrophication and preserving local biodiversity in the anil river estuary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the carcinogenic and mutagenic properties of azo anionic dyes on the environment and human health, the development of efficient adsorbents for the removal of these water pollutants is very important. Therefore, the main aim of this research is to develop cost-effective and efficient melamine-formaldehyde (MF) microspheres for the removal of anionic dyes from wastewater. MF nanocomposite (MF-NGQD) microspheres were prepared using varying amounts of N-doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs) through a simple polycondensation method. According to the SEM images, the MF-NGQD microspheres contain up to 10 wt% monodisperse, with an average diameter of 427 nm, which is smaller than the MF microspheres with a diameter of ⁓2.1 μm. The measurement of zeta potential (ZP) as a function of solution pH showed that the amount of ZP is significantly affected not only by the pH of the solution but also by the content of NGQDs in the microspheres. BET results revealed higher surface area and larger pore volume of nanocomposite microspheres (11.40 m2 g−1 and 0.030 cm3 g−1) compared to MF microspheres (5.40 cm3 g−1 and 0.017 cm3 g−1). Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to investigate the adsorption properties of microspheres on Congo Red (CR). The results indicated that MF-NGQD microspheres with an amount of 0.05 g/25 mL were able to remove CR up to 97% at pH 6.0 with C0 of 50 mg L−1 in 45 min with an adsorption capacity of 91.74 mg g−1. Adsorption processes were further analyzed through isotherm and kinetic studies, which showed a better fit with the Freundlich model and pseudo-second-order model, respectively. In conclusion, our finding demonstrates that MF-NGQD-10 microspheres are highly effective adsorbents for the removal of anionic dyes such as Congo Red from textile effluents, offering a promising solution for wastewater treatment. Future studies should explore the scalability and real-world application of these microspheres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise in industrial establishments all around the globe has also enhanced the demand of enzymes for usage in processes. Laccases are one of the dominant enzymes which have been employed in industrial processes over the years. They are a type of multi-copper oxidases (MCOs) which is a category of enzymes having diverse substrate selectivity and varying biological activity. All multi-copper oxidases can convert oxygen into water without creating unwanted products owing to the existence of cupredoxin-like domains. This review article details up-to-date knowledge about laccases, their structures and various sources, the laccase mediator system, mechanism of action and applications of laccases in numerous biotechnological processes such as in food industry for wine and beer stabilization, synthesis of cosmetics and pharmaceutically important compounds, dye detoxification in industrial effluents, xenobiotic degradation, paper and pulp bleaching, biofuel cells and biosensor development for detection for various chemical compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the development of a wood sponge (WS) modified with MnO2 nanorods (MnO2/WS) derived from balsa natural wood, an abundant and environmentally friendly raw material, for the adsorption of organic solvents, oils, and heavy metal ions from water. The MnO2/WS composite exhibits an exceptionally low density of 0.014 g cm− 3 and a high porosity of approximately 97%. It demonstrates consistent sorption-desorption performance over 20 cycles. Zeta potential analysis reveals that MnO2 nanorods carry a negative charge (-22.31 mV) at pH 4.68, indicating their affinity for adsorbing positively charged heavy metal ions, which are commonly found in industrial effluents. Moreover, WS shows remarkable mechanical robustness, enduring 1000 stress-strain cycles with high shape recovery, ensuring its durability under operational conditions. The data highlight several strengths of MnO2/WS, including cost-effective production process, high reusability, remarkable sorption capacities for carbon tetrachloride and soybean oil (29.56 and 17.65 times its mass, respectively), and efficient performance. Its capability to produce potable water from real industrial effluents positions MnO2/WS as an ideal solution for addressing water crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracting useful materials from the effluents help in cost reduction of catalyst synthesis for transesterification reaction. Hence, in this study, CaO-SiO2 and MgO–SiO2 catalysts were prepared in which the nano–silica was extracted from the steel slag. The properties of the slag, extracted nano-silica and synthesized catalysts were characterized in detail. Biodiesel was synthesized from Euglena sanguinea. Optimization of various parameters of transesterification process was done by RSM using CCD. The presence of biodiesel was confirmed with the help of 1H-NMR, GC–MS and FTIR spectroscopy. The synthesized MgO–SiO2 and CaO–SiO2 catalyst possessed a surface area of 31 and 15 m2/g respectively. The optimized parameters obtained using CaO–SiO2 were methanol to oil ratio of 9:1, catalyst weight % of 5 and duration of 3 h. The optimized parameters of the MgO–SiO2 catalyst were–methanol to oil ratio of 9:1, catalyst weight % of 6 and reaction time of 5.5 h. The biodiesel yield obtained by using CaO–SiO2 and MgO–SiO2 corresponds to 87 and 83. 5% respectively. The loss of yield after reusing 5 times was 20 and 10% for CaO–SiO2 and MgO–SiO2 respectively. Kinetic models were compared with respect to their fit with experimental data. Pseudo–first order kinetics was a better fit for the experimental data using MgO–SiO2. While using CaO–SiO2 as a catalyst, non-linear kinetic model was found to fit with the experimental data better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestic and industrial effluents contain substantial amounts of micropollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, which may influence the balance of the phytoplankton community. A mesocosm approach was used to determine the effects of different fluoxetine concentrations (20 ng L−1, 20 µg L−1, and 20 mg L−1) on phytoplankton community structure, biochemical composition, antioxidant response, and primary productivity. The total cell density of the phytoplankton community was in the order of control > 20 µg > 20 ng > 20 mg by the 21st day of the experiment. On day 21, the phytoplankton community had chlorophyll a content in the order of 20 mg > 20 µg > 20 ng > control, but these changes were not significant (p > 0.05). Beta diversity results revealed that fluoxetine significantly affected the community structure and dynamics of exposed phytoplankton. Reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde and peroxidase levels were significantly altered by changes in fluoxetine concentrations. Protein content increased at 20 µg L−1 and decreased at 20 ng L−1 and 20 mg L−1 by day 21 of the experiment. These results suggest that, even in the ng L−1 range, fluoxetine could contribute to the reshaping of phytoplankton community structure and dynamics in aquatic ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Poultry processing generates a large amount of industrial waste, which is rich in collagen content. This waste can be utilized for the extraction of valuable components such as gelatin, which can be used as an alternative to mammalian gelatin (porcine and bovine). RESULTS: Gelatins were analyzed for their yield, proximate analysis, pH, color, viscosity, bloom strength, and texture profile analysis. The yield of broiler chicken feet gelatin (BCFG) was slightly higher (7.93%) as compared to native chicken feet gelatin (NCFG) (7.06%). The protein content was 85.92% and 82.53% for BCFG and NCFG. Both gelatin had moisture content in the standard range (< 15) as given by Gelatin Manufacturers of Europe (GME). Both gelatins showed higher bloom strength (326 g for NCFG and 203 g for BCFG) at 6.67% gelatin concentration, classified as high bloom. Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) analysis showed amide I, amide A, amide B at 1636 cm−1, 3302 cm−1, 2945 cm−1 for NCFG and 1738 cm−1, 3292 cm−1, 2920 cm−1 for BCFG. At 6.67% gelatin concentration, hardness and cohesiveness values were also higher than commercial gelatin previously studied. The pH values for NCFG were 5.43 and BCFG was 5.31. Both NCFG and BCFG viscosities (4.43 and 3.85 cP) were in the optimum range of commercial gelatins (2–7 cP). CONCLUSION: Hence, the present study concluded that both NCFG and BCFG have a huge potential to replace commercial mammalian gelatins (porcine and bovine) in the food industries. However further studies should be done to optimize the extraction process. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to uncover the underlying social and institutional origins of China's local preemptive environmental protests against developmental projects with negative externalities, which have not been fully investigated by the extant literature on "NIMBY" ("not-in-my-backyard") activism in China. Primarily through the perspective of Karl Polanyi's environmental sociology, this article presents a case study of the 2012 protest in Qidong, Jiangsu province, against an industrial waste disposal pipeline. The case of Qidong shows how local ecology has been deeply embedded in the social context and relations that have historically shaped the economic structures, culinary traditions, and place attachment in the area. Such a nexus between the environment and society in turn significantly impacted the opposition pattern of the local communities, which involved various social strata by triggering their economic and health concerns as well as an emotional response. Moreover, the article finds that the unified cross-class action under the banner of defending public interests was possible in Qidong largely because the actors were all part of the same holistic local ecological system, with shared economic interests, dietary preferences, and cultural identities. This research thus echoes the insights of environmental sociology and argues that it is necessary to take into account the interplay between ecology and locality to understand local environmental politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater has become the predominant treatment because of the high scarcity of water. Transition metal molybdates were broadly investigated in water treatment. To enhance the performance and reliability, rare earth molybdates were investigated. Herein, we report the preparation of novel Gd 2 MoO 6 nanoparticles with carbon composites, such as rGO and g-C 3 N 4 , employing hydrothermal technique and it was used as a photocatalyst for wastewater treatment. The rGO substance was substantiated by D- and G-bands in Raman studies. The morphology of the pure photocatalyst revealed a coral structure when rGO and g-C 3 N 4 were added, and a nanoplate-like structure was grown. rGO sheets were identified in TEM studies, and their crystallinity was confirmed by the SAED pattern. Basic dyes, azo dyes, and textile wastewater were treated with the prepared photocatalysts under visible light. The photocatalysts achieved good performance in reducing different classes of dyes. rGO-Gd 2 MoO 6 exhibited superior performance evaluated with other two photocatalysts. The efficiency of g–C 3 N 4 –Gd 2 MoO 6 is almost equal to that of rGO-Gd 2 MoO 6. The rate constant value attained for the rGO-Gd 2 MoO 6 on wastewater was 0.0176 min1. The quality of the wastewater was also improved after treatment. The superior activity of the carbon-composited Gd 2 MoO 6 was due to better generation and low recombination of e−/h+ pairs during photocatalysis. As rGO-Gd 2 MoO 6 exhibits superior performance under visible light, it can be a novel photocatalyst for practical wastewater management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of natural fibers obtained from leather industrial wastes contributes to a circular economy and aids to the reduction in the usually high loadings of mineral flame-retardant additives employed to impart the flame retardancy in polymer systems. The present work investigates the relationship between viscoelastic properties and flame retardancy of thermoplastic starch multicomponent systems loaded with leather waste, aluminum trihydroxide used as flame-retardant additive, and bentonite clay. Different blending temperatures and rotational speeds during extrusion process are tested for the multicomponent systems. Rheological, morphological, flammability, thermal analysis, and tensile mechanical test are also used to characterize the obtained multicomponent systems. A detailed investigation of the viscoelastic properties through Han, Cole–Cole, and van Gurp–Palmen diagrams indicated that the fibers have to be well dispersed in the polymer matrix forming a network structure and that the material has to exhibit viscoelasticity to a moderate level, i.e., not too viscous and not too elastic as observed in the VGP diagram in order to impart the flame retardancy effect in the multicomponent system. These multicomponent systems with enhanced properties are a promising and sustainable alternative to traditional high-loaded flame-retardant systems taking advantage of the landfill disposal in local areas where leather wastes are a problem the great attention contributing to a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Textile dyeing releases over 80% of industrial effluents without proper treatment. Dye discharged into effluents typically needs degradation before release into aquatic environments. In this regard, the present paper reports the nanocomposite copper oxide/polyaniline (CuO/PANI) is successfully synthesized by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization method and investigates their catalytic activity against organic dyes and nitro compounds. CuO is synthesized by colloidal sol–gel method using oxalic acid as capping agent to obtained desired morphology. The elemental composition, unit cell and lattice parameters of nanocomposite are characterized by using XRD. The XRD revealed that nanoparticles are extremely crystalline, but nanocomposite is amorphous because of the presence of polymer. The structural and elemental analysis of CuO and CuO/PANI is confirmed by SEM and EDX analysis. FTIR spectra of CuO showed bending vibration, while CuO/PANI showed the presence of benzenoid and quinoid rings. Catalytic productivity of the CuO and CuO/PANI as catalysts in degradation of dyes and reduction of nitro compounds is also studied. The degradation and reduction processes are monitored through the utilization of UV–Vis spectrophotometer. The catalytic activity of both catalysts is evaluated by several parameters including kapp, degradation/reduction time, % degradation/reduction, degraded/reduced concentration and half-life. Among all substrates, highest kapp is 0.0653 min−1 for CV by CuO, while 0.0502 min−1 for EBT by CuO/PANI due to large surface area. On degradation and reduction rate of substrates, the impact of functional group type and orientation, bond type and steric hindrance is also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting dangerous gases is crucial for protecting human and environmental health. Industrial waste gases like CO, NO2, H2S, and NH3 have long been a concern for investigators. Gas sensors, particularly chemi-resistive sensors, are widely used in industries to detect leaks and manage gas concentrations. Traditional gas sensors have utilized semiconducting oxides such as SnO2, ZnO, Fe2O3, and In2O3. However, conducting polymers, like polyaniline, have emerged as ideal materials for gas sensors due to their ability to operate at room temperature. This paper investigates the simulation performance of gas sensors based on a polyaniline-graphene oxide (PANI/GO) nanocomposite, fabricated using inkjet printing. The study analyzes various factors that affect sensor performance, including responsivity, sensitivity, gas concentration, response time, and recovery time, using Atomistix ToolKit. The results show that the PANI/GO nanocomposite-based gas sensor outperforms existing nanomaterial-based sensors, demonstrating its potential as an effective candidate for detecting dangerous gases. To improve the behavior of the gas sensor, the chemicals are first synthesized, and then the composite is printed using inkjet technology. The simulation using Atomistix ToolKit allows for a comprehensive analysis of the sensor's performance, considering factors like responsivity, sensitivity, gas concentration, response time, and recovery time. Compared to existing nanomaterial-based sensors, the proposed gas sensor proves to be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synergetic effects of alkaline red mud (RM) and sulfate-based phosphogypsum (PG) on the undrained triaxial behavior of cement-admixed clay were explored in this study. A series of isotropically consolidated undrained triaxial tests were performed on stabilized clay with respect to different admixed RM/PG proportions. The triaxial behavior of stabilized clay is presented in terms of a stress–pore pressure–strain relationship, failure mode, undrained deformation modulus, stress path, and failure envelope. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) tests were conducted to survey microscopic evolution. The results showed that the brittleness of the specimen intensified with a high RM content, which was manifested by a predominant postpeak strength reduction. As the PG content increased, the strain-softening behavior weakened and gradually evolved into strain-hardening. The failure mode changed from local shear failure to the single cone failure and bulging failure correspondingly. The RM played a role in increasing soil cohesion, whereas PG contributed to a larger frictional angle at the postyield stage. Microscopic observations indicated that the alkali source from RM significantly promoted pozzolanic reactions and strengthened cementation bonds, which increased the peak strength, deformation modulus, and cohesion. In addition, the sulfate in PG contributed to ettringite generation among clay particles and clusters, resulting in a more ductile behavior and a larger frictional angle due to large clusters formed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the photocatalytic performance of ZnS nanoparticle-integrated chitosan nanocomposite for degrading organic dyes in water and textile wastewater. ZnS nanoparticles with a cubic sphalerite crystal structure were uniformly distributed in a chitosan matrix, as confirmed by FT-IR, Raman, and XRD analyses. The FT-IR spectrum of ZnS displayed peaks at 410 and 490 cm‒1 (symmetric and asymmetric Zn‒S stretching vibrations) and a peak at 640 cm‒1 (asymmetric Zn‒S stretching). Chitosan exhibited bands at 893 and 1156 cm‒1 (C‒H and C‒O‒C bending modes) and a peak at 1412 cm‒1 (C‒H bending vibrations). The FT-IR spectrum of the ZnS-chitosan nanocomposite showed Zn‒S stretching modes at 619 and 670 cm‒1, along with peaks in the 1000–1117 cm‒1 range attributed to ZnS vibrations. Amide groups were represented by bands at 1588 cm‒1, while chitosan contributed peaks at 1399 and 2924 cm‒1 (C‒H bending and stretching vibrations). A broad band at 3374 cm‒1 indicated O‒H and N‒H stretching of chitosan. Peak shifts indicated interactions between ZnS and chitosan functional groups, confirming the formation of the nanocomposite. Raman analysis revealed peak broadening due to ZnS-chitosan interactions. XRD patterns exhibited intense diffraction peaks at 2θ values of 28.6, 47.5, and 56.4°, corresponding to the cubic ZnS sphalerite phase, and a broad chitosan peak at 2θ = 20°, confirming the presence of amorphous chitosan phases. SEM images depicted spherical or near-spherical ZnS nanoparticles (30–70 nm) within the porous chitosan network, confirmed by EDX mapping. TGA/DSC indicated chitosan degradation around 250–500 °C. The residual weight% at 600 °C directly represents the content of ZnS nanoparticles. Optical studies demonstrated a reduced band gap of 2.6 eV compared to 4.25 eV for ZnS. The optimized ZnS-chitosan nanocomposite achieved up to 100% and 97.99% removal efficiency for Brilliant Blue FCF and Acid Orange 2 dyes, respectively, following pseudo-second-order kinetics. It also demonstrated 90% dye removal from textile wastewater, surpassing ZnS alone due to the high surface area, favorable adsorption, and efficient charge transfer facilitated by the ZnS-chitosan nanostructure. The excellent reusability of the nanocomposite highlights its potential for sustainable wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste minimization is one of the important issued nowadays. In this study, the usability of waste welding powders (WWPs) was investigated in the Fenton-like process for Cr(VI) and reactive orange 16 (RO16) dye removal from aqueous solution. Solution pH, amount of catalyst, amount of H2O2, initial pollutants concentrations, reaction time and temperature parameters were optimized. 100% RO16 dye removal efficiency was obtained at pH: 2, dye concentration: 100 mg/L, catalyst amount: 1 g/L, and H2O2 amount: 2.5 µL/L. Besides, 99.7% Cr(VI) removal efficiency was obtained at pH: 2, Cr(VI) concentration: 10 mg/L, catalyst amount: 0.25 g/L, and H2O2 amount: 2.5 µL/L. In addition, the characterization of WWP was also carried out by SEM, EDX, XRD, XRF, and zeta potential analyses. WWP can be considered to be a viable catalyst for both dye and Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solution. WWP's effectiveness was also tested in real wastewater. As a result of the experiments with real wastewater, 100% removal efficiency was obtained both textile wastewater for 60 min and Cr(VI) containing wastewater for 45 min. These results have revealed that WWP is a promising catalyst for the treatment of real wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing need for sustainable energy and the transition from a linear to a circular economy pose great challenges to the materials science community. In this view, the chance of producing efficient nanocatalysts for water splitting using industrial waste as starting material is attractive. Here, we report low-cost processes to convert Mo-based industrial waste powder into efficient catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). pH controlled hydrothermal processing of Mo-based industrial waste powder leads to pure orthorhombic MoO3 nanobelts (50–200 nm wide, 10 µm long) with promising OER performances at 10 mA·cm−2 with an overpotential of 324 mV and Tafel slope of 45 mV·dec−1 in alkaline electrolyte. Indeed, MoS2/MoO3 nanostructures were obtained after sulfurization during hydrothermal processes of the MoO3 nanobelts. HER tests in acidic environment show a promising overpotential of 208 mV at 10 mA·cm−2 and a Tafel slope of 94 mV·dec−1. OER and HER performances of nanocatalysts obtained from Mo industrial waste powder are comparable or better than Mo-based nanocatalysts obtained from pure commercial Mo reagent. This work shows the great potential of reusing industrial waste for energy applications, opening a promising road to join waste management and efficient and sustainable nanocatalysts for water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green concrete utilizes industrial waste resources as fine and coarse aggregates, to partially replace cement in concrete using supplemental cementitious materials. The primary goal of the present study was to explore the acid durability of green concretes with different compressive strengths of 30 and 40 MPa. In green concrete, fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) were adopted as SCMs, and quarry dust (QD) and recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) were adopted as replacements for fine and coarse aggregates, respectively. The acid durability assessment was carried out by immersing concrete cubes in H2SO4 and HCl solutions followed by residual compressive strength comparison. For comparative study purposes, the same grades of ordinary concrete were prepared, tested, and subjected to similar acid exposure. The microstructural investigation was also accomplished by employing field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) analysis and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). It was found that concrete with 30% GGBS and 20% fly ash and the remaining 50% ordinary portland cement as cementitious materials along with 40% QD and 30% RCA as aggregate replacements gives adequate compressive strength and performs better in aggressive environments as compared to traditional concrete. These mixes were found to have denser microstructures with silica-rich, calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of a battery of bioassays is widely recognized as a useful tool for assessing environmental hazard samples. However, the integration of different toxicity data is a key aspect of this assessment and remains a challenge. The evaluation of industrial waste leachates did not initially undergo any of the proposed integration procedures. This research addressed this knowledge gap. Twenty‐five samples of waste foundry sands were subjected to a leaching test (UNI EN 12457‐2) to evaluate waste recovery and landfill disposal. The leachates were evaluated using a battery of standardized toxicity bioassays composed of Aliivibrio fischeri (EN ISO 11348‐3), Daphnia magna (UNI EN ISO 6341), and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (UNI EN ISO 8692), both undiluted and diluted. Daphnia magna and P. subcapitata were the most affected organisms, with significant effects caused by 68% and 64% of undiluted samples, respectively. The dilution of samples facilitates the calculation of EC50 values, which ranged from greater than the highest concentration tested to 2.5 g/L for P. subcapitata. The data on single‐organism toxicity were integrated using three methods: the Toxicity Classification System, the toxicity test battery integrated index, and the EcoScore system. The three classifications were strongly similar. According to all applied systems, three samples were clearly nontoxic (from iron casting plants) and two were highly toxic (from steel casting plants). Moreover, the similar ranking between undiluted and diluted leachates suggests the possibility of using only undiluted leachates for a more cost‐effective and time‐efficient screening of waste materials. The findings of this study highlight the usefulness of integrating ecotoxicological waste assessment. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:2294–2311. © 2024 The Author(s). Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC). Key Points: The toxicity of waste foundry sand leachates was assessed using three ecotoxicity tests, and the results were summarized using three different synthetic indices to assess the environmental risk associated with the possible reuse of these materials.The samples of cast steel and a binder system based on sodium silicate‐ester cured were very toxic and were associated with high environmental risk, whereas the samples of cast iron and different binder systems were associated with a very low level of risk.Classification systems are useful tools for responding to management and regulatory frameworks.Despite these findings, there remains a lack of development in the real‐world use of these systems in the waste management industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades the Amazonian ecosystem has received large amounts of domestic and industrial effluents, as well as mining-related waste contributing significant quantities of metal to water bodies. Thus, the main objective of the study was to verify the sensitivity of a native Amazonian ostracod (Strandesia rondoniensis) species to isolated and mixed metal salts (CuSO4; ZnCl2; CdCl2 and HgCl2). The sensitivity will be compared to other species using species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) for an ecological risk assessment (ERA). The experiment consisted of simultaneously exposing each metal alone and in mixture, through a factorial design for toxicity with 25 different combinations for 48 h. For the ERA, metal concentrations measured in the water of various aquatic environments in the Amazon basin were considered based on the risk quotient values. The results showed that the metal toxicity gradient was Cd>Hg>Cu>Zn, respectively. The toxicity in the mixture showed that the combination of Cu-Cd and Cu-Zn better fit the model (CA), indicating mainly synergism when copper predominated in the mixture. Meanwhile, the Cu-Hg interaction fit the model better (IA), again indicating synergism when copper was at a higher concentration. The ERA showed a high risk (RQ > 1) for the Cd, Cu, and Hg metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The presence of pharmaceutical active substances such as diclofenac (DCF) and clofibric acid (CA) in aquatic environments poses significant ecological threats. Existing treatments have not fully explored the impact of CA on DCF removal efficiency. This research introduces nZVI/CTAB‐SBE@C, a novel adsorbent developed from industrial spent bleaching earth (SBE), modified with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and nano zero‐valent iron (nZVI), enhancing both adsorption and degradation of DCF and CA. RESULTS: This study investigated the impact of CA on the removal capabilities of nZVI/CTAB‐SBE@C for DCF in a coexisting system. Systematic examinations were conducted on the effects of various parameters, including reaction time, dosage, temperature, actual wastewater, humic acid content and coexisting ions. Results indicated that the presence of CA significantly enhanced the DCF removal efficiency, achieving an optimal rate of 87.3% under conditions of reaction time 2 h, adsorbent dosage 5 g L−1 and temperature 25 °C. Moreover, interactions between Al3+ ions and the adsorbent matrix notably improved removal efficiencies for both DCF and CA. Analysis revealed that CA facilitated new degradation pathways for DCF, including hydroxylation and decarboxylation reactions. Additionally, the presence of CA reduced the toxicity of degradation intermediates, enhancing environmental safety compared to systems containing only DCF. CONCLUSION: This study effectively transforms industrial waste into the efficient nZVI/CTAB‐SBE@C adsorbent. The presence of CA not only boosts DCF removal efficiency but also promotes its safer degradation, thereby reducing the ecological impact of contaminants. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Complex mineral mining leads to critical earth's surface disturbance and environmental pollution from industrial waste. This research aims to comprehensively study, assess and show the current scale of the earth's surface disturbances in the largest mining region of Ukraine - the Kryvyi Rih. Ironore Basin and suggests ways to improve the situation based on backfill technologies for the earth's surface rehabilitation and industrial waste utilization. Methods: To identify the forms of surface disturbance, their parameters, and spatial location, satellite images of the region, government statistical data, and a geographic information system software suite were studied. An analysis of the effectiveness of existing reclamation measures for technogenic voids in the region was carried out, and a new concept of surface restoration was proposed using beneficiation tailings, which are difficult to utilize in the region. Results: It has been determined that the contribution of the Kryvyi Rih Iron-ore Basin to waste generation is 92.08% of the total volume of waste accumulations in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast and 65.5% in Ukraine as a whole, amounting to 10.7 billion tons. It is determined that 65.25% of the total disturbed land area is industrial waste, 34.76% - quarry cavities and mine failure zones, occupying 49% of the Kryvyi Rih city area. An analysis of waste accumulation density in allotted areas shows that per 1 m2 of land area, on average, 183.5 tons of dump waste rocks and 73.5 tons of beneficiation tailings are placed. Disposal of beneficiation tailings is recognized as a priority, because their utilization is slower, occupy the largest area, creating a risk of dams breaching and intense dusting from tailings dams surface, threatening the environment and public health. For the first time in Ukraine, a concept for the earth's surface rehabilitation for various industrial purposes has been developed based on paste backfill technologies. Discussion: Paste backfill technology implementation is prioritized in the central and northern parts of the city, which can dispose of at least 65-70 million tons of waste in cavities and reclaim about 200 ha of land. The research results are valuable for the development of strategies or programs to overcome the technogenic-ecological crisis in the city. The rehabilitated earth's surface can be usefully involved in various infrastructure projects for the development of the industrial and economic potential of an industrial city such as Kryvyi Rih. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purification methods such as membrane technology and adsorption have been studied for the purification of textile effluents. This article aimed to evaluate the membrane separation process and adsorption on pine nut shell, separately and sequentially, for reactive dye blue 5G removal from a synthetic effluent. The membrane separation process was carried out in a front filtration module using polymeric membranes. The maximum dye retention was 35.9% using a regenerated cellulose membrane, with agitation and a pressure of 0.5 bar. The permeate flux was fully restored after cleaning the membrane. In the adsorption using pine nut shell, the best results were at pH 2, 50°C, and 50 ppm, with 85% dye removal. The Freundlich isotherm showed the best fit to the data, as did the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption is of the physical type, with the process being endothermic and spontaneous. In the combined process, the permeate from the membrane separation process was subjected to adsorption on pine nut shell, achieving a removal rate of 98.7 for the initial concentration of 50 ppm. Therefore, this work shows the potential of pine nut shell as an adsorbent, not only to purify textile effluents but also to add value to a waste product, indicating that the combination of membrane technology and adsorption on pine nut shell could be an alternative for the treatment of textile effluents containing the reactive dye 5G blue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mineral carbonation is a promising CO2 sequestration strategy that can utilize industrial wastes to convert CO2 into high-value CaCO3. This review summarizes the advancements in CO2 mineralization using typical industrial wastes to prepare ultrafine CaCO3. This work surveys the mechanisms of CO2 mineralization using these wastes and its capacities to synthesize CaCO3, evaluates the effects of carbonation pathways and operating parameters on the preparation of CaCO3, analyzes the current industrial application status and economics of this technology. Due to the large amount of impurities in solid wastes, the purity of CaCO3 prepared by indirect methods is greater than that prepared by direct methods. Crystalline CaCO3 includes three polymorphs. The polymorph of CaCO3 synthesized by carbonation process is determined the combined effects of various factors. These parameters essentially impact the nucleation and growth of CaCO3 by altering the CO2 supersaturation in the reaction system and the surface energy of CaCO3 grains. Increasing the initial pH of the solution and the CO2 flow rate favors the formation of vaterite, but calcite is formed under excessively high pH. Vaterite formation is favored at lower temperatures and residence time. With increased temperature and prolonged residence time, it passes through aragonite metastable phase and eventually transforms into calcite. Moreover, polymorph modifiers can decrease the surface energy of CaCO3 grains, facilitating the synthesis of vaterite. However, the large-scale application of this technology still faces many problems, including high costs, high energy consumption, low calcium leaching rate, low carbonation efficiency, and low product yield. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate ways to accelerate carbonation, optimize operating parameters, develop cost-effective agents, and understand the kinetics of CaCO3 nucleation and crystallization to obtain products with specific crystal forms. Furthermore, more studies on life cycle assessment (LCA) should be conducted to fully confirm the feasibility of the developed technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) is a universally used industrial material with exponential growth in production and consumption worldwide. The frequently reported occupational DMF poisoning cases in some countries and the gradually recognized unavoidable health risks to the general population highlight that DMF should still be a matter of concern. Previous studies have demonstrated that the liver is the primary target organ of DMF exposure and multiple mechanisms have been revealed. However, most of these studies investigate the detrimental effects of acute and subacute DMF exposure, while the effects of chronic DMF exposure are rarely studied. Furthermore, the key mechanism for the acute hepatotoxicity of DMF remains to be elucidated. Future research may focus on the identification of efficient preventive measures against the toxicity of DMF to occupational workers, the investigation of the detrimental effects of DMF at environmentally relevant doses, and the studies on the elimination and recycling of DMF in industrial wastes. Herein, we present an updated review of the metabolism of DMF, the biomarker of DMF exposure, underlying molecular mechanisms of DMF‐induced hepatotoxicity, and the toxicity of DMF to both occupational workers and general populations and discuss the possible directions in future studies. N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) should still be a matter of concern due to the frequently reported occupational DMF poisoning cases in some countries and the gradually recognized unavoidable health risks to the general population. This review summarizes the knowledge of the metabolism, exposure biomarkers, molecular mechanisms underlying hepatotoxicity, and the toxicity to both occupational workers and general populations of DMF and discusses the possible directions in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]