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In humanitarian contexts, fecal sludge treatment is critical to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Geotextiles are permeable fabrics used in geobag treatment plants to dewater liquid wastes, but data on their efficacy for dewatering and filtering fecal sludge are limited. The aim of the study was to address knowledge gaps on geobag efficacy with fecal sludge, to contribute to guidance in humanitarian settings. We evaluated the laboratory efficacy of three fabrics used in humanitarian contexts (a woven geotextile, a nonwoven geotextile, and a 100-μm nylon mesh mimicking locally available material) to dewater and filter simulant fecal sludge, over five layers of sludge addition, with and without lime conditioning. The woven geotextile had the greatest effluent volume (851 mL); most-dewatered sludge (sludge dewatered to the greatest extent) [16% total solids (TS)] and greatest reductions of total suspended solids (TSS) (80%), E. coli [ −1.2 log10 reduction value (LRV)], and chemical oxygen demand (COD) (22%). The nonwoven geotextile had the highest dewatering flow (61.2 L/h·m2) and lowest reductions of TSS (75%), E. coli (−1.8 LRV), and COD (9%). The nylon mesh had the lowest effluent volume (784 mL), the least-dewatered sludge (dewatered to the least extent) (10% TS), and slowest dewatering flow (15.1 L/h·m2). The woven geotextile was the most efficacious fabric for both dewatering and filtering, but the two other fabrics obtained meaningful dewatering and filtering performance. Lime addition led to incomplete dewatering for all fabrics. Our results led to recommendations for fecal sludge treatment in humanitarian contexts, including prioritizing woven geotextiles, with locally available nylon mesh as a short-term acceptable option, and not using lime. Filtering performance was higher for the Bangladesh geobag than in the laboratory, which is attributed to differences in field and laboratory configurations. Further research on the effectiveness of fabrics and simulant sludge in actual humanitarian contexts is indicated. Practical Applications: Implementation of fecal sludge geobag treatment plants is a promising solution for humanitarian contexts, but data on their efficacy for fecal sludge are limited. We evaluated fabrics used in humanitarian contexts (a woven geotextile, a nonwoven geotextile, and a 100-μm nylon mesh mimicking locally available material) to dewater and filter simulant fecal sludge. We evaluated the use of lime as a conditioner to help dewatering, because lime is widely available and used for pathogen inactivation and liquid–solid separation in humanitarian contexts. Woven geotextile was the most efficacious fabric for both dewatering and filtering. This is consistent with manufacturer advice and previous research. The nylon mesh obtained meaningful dewatering and filtering performances. We recommend prioritizing woven geotextiles for fecal sludge treatment in humanitarian contexts, with locally available nylon mesh as a short-term acceptable option. Lime addition led to incomplete dewatering for all fabrics, and thus is not recommended. Other studies found clear dewatering and filtering improvements using conditioners such as chitosan or polymers, which were not evaluated herein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technical albumen (TA) is liquid waste from egg processing enterprises and occupies a share of 10–15% of the waste. Proteins have the property at the isoelectric point of weakening their repulsive forces. This property is the basis of a TA recovery method using pretreatment to reduce moisture before drying. In this study, we present the results of a TA processing method using two types of citric and phosphoric acids based on thermal–acid coagulation as an alternative to spray drying. By analyzing physicochemical and microbiological indicators, the raw TA and the finished product are described. In this study, the characteristics of raw TA and its final product are presented. TA contains mainly water, fat, and protein, including all essential amino acids, all of the proteins of the egg white, and some of the yolk. Initially, TA is significantly microbiologically contaminated. A better yield was obtained when using citric acid 97.79% instead of phosphoric acid. The final dried egg product from TA has a protein content of 46% and a fat content of 33%. The dried egg products undergo changes in the lipid and protein fraction during storage, but the values remain low TBARS to 4 mg MDA/kg. Microbiological contamination has decreased due to a decrease in water activity to a level that meets the requirements of European legislation for the processing of animal by-products (ABPs) and uses as feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green and effective disposal of carbon disulfide (CS2) waste into high-valued chemicals under mild conditions is meaningful yet challenging. Herein, a novel 3D cluster-based metal–organic framework (MOF) {(Me2NH2)2[Co3(μ3-O)(XN)(BDC)3]·4DMF·5MeOH}n (compound 1) (XN = 4′-(4-pyridine)4,2′:2′,4′′-terpyridine, H2BDC = terephthalic acid) assembled by [Co15] and [Co18] nano-cages was harvested, presenting excellent stability. Catalytic characterization demonstrated that compound 1 can efficiently promote the cycloaddition reaction of CS2 with aziridines to form sole high-valued thiazolidine-2-thione upon 30 °C and 0.1 MPa for 6 h, which matches well with the atom economy and the sustainable development intention. Noteworthily, compound 1 is the mildest and most efficient catalyst for CS2 treatment and can be reused at least ten times without significant activity degradation; it also retains excellent catalytic capacity in both gram-scale reaction and simulated CS2 waste liquid, which lays a solid foundation for its practical application. Additionally, density functional theory (DFT) calculations further confirm the synergistic effect of the nanocage characteristic and the Me2NH2+ cation, which can significantly reduce the reaction energy barrier in this CS2/aziridine coupling reaction system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unsymmetric N-heterocyclic extractants have been proven to have good application prospects in the separation of trivalent actinides over lanthanides from highly active liquid waste. In this article, a novel unsymmetric pyridine-based extractant functionalized with triazinyl and amide groups (N-ethyl-N-(p-tolyl)-6-(5,9,9-trimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,8-methanobenzo[e][1,2,4]triazin-3-yl)picolinamide (Et-Tol-CA-ATP)) was designed and used for the extraction and complexation towards trivalent lanthanide and actinide ions. The ligand Et-Tol-CA-ATP exhibited moderate extraction ability but high selectivity towards Am(III) over Eu(III) (SFAm(III)/Eu(III) = 16.9) under highly acidic HNO3 conditions. The complexation mechanism and extraction behaviors of Et-Tol-CA-ATP for Am(III) and typical lanthanides were thoroughly investigated by NMR spectroscopy, UV-vis spectrophotometry, time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) analysis and DFT calculations. The stability constants for the formation of 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 Nd(III) complexes with Et-Tol-CA-ATP in CH3CN were determined as 2.26 ± 0.02 and 4.38 ± 0.01, respectively. The geometric structures of the 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes of Am(III) and Eu(III) coordinated with Et-Tol-CA-ATP and their differences in the bonding nature leading to the extraction selectivity were further illustrated using DFT calculations. This work describes the successful synthesis of a new unsymmetric pyridine-based triazinyl and amide extractant to selectively separate Am(III) over Eu(III) from highly acidic HNO3 solutions, providing an alternative strategy for developing some new unsymmetric extractants for the separation of trivalent minor actinides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) data of the ternary system methanol–methyl formate–methylal was measured at atmospheric pressure using a modified Rose equilibrium kettle with vapor–liquid double circulation method. The experiment data were correlated with the NRTL, UNIQUAC, and Wilson activity coefficient model equations. The results shown that the root mean square deviation (RMSD) between the calculated and simulated values of the three models followed the order: UNIQUAC ≈ NRTL < Wilson, and except for the RMSD (T) in the range of 0.4–0.5, the others are less than 0.01. In addition, the NRTL model was selected to link with Aspen Plus software to simulate the separation process of polyformaldehyde (POM) waste liquid. The simulation results show that the methyl formate in POM waste stream can be purified by simple distillation, while the methylal separated from the POM waste liquid, which was affected by factors like the azeotropic behavior of binary components, necessitates a complex distillation process. Under optimal operating conditions, the recovery yield of methyl formate through direct distillation can reach 99.7%, with an economic benefit of 6960.1 CNY per ton of waste liquid. Although the economic benefit of the multi-component distillation reach 7281.2 CNY, the increase in the number of equipment and the complexity of the process have negative impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Photocatalysis has emerged as a extremely promising green technology for the treatment of uranium-containing wastewater. This study focuses on the fabrication of Ti 3 C 2 T x /Cd 0.8 Zn 0.2 S composites with Schottky junctions through the in-situ growth of Cd 0.8 Zn 0.2 S on Ti 3 C 2 T x nanosheets, enabling efficient photoreduction of U(VI) without the requirement of sacrificial agents. The results demonstrate that the Ti 3 C 2 T x /Cd 0.8 Zn 0.2 S composites achieve remarkable 99.48 % U(VI) reduction efficiency within 60 min in a 100 ppm uranium solution. Furthermore, the removal rate remains above 90 % after five cycles. The formation of Schottky heterojunctions by Ti 3 C 2 T x and Cd 0.8 Zn 0.2 S leads to the generation of an internal electric field that significantly promotes the rapid separation and transfer of photogenerated carriers, thereby enhancing the photocatalytic reduction efficiency of Ti 3 C 2 T x /Cd 0.8 Zn 0.2 S-3:100 (TC/CZS-3:100). A considerable amount of electrons accumulate on Ti 3 C 2 T x via the Schottky barrier, effectively facilitating the reduction of U(VI) to U(IV). As a co-catalyst, Ti 3 C 2 T x enhances the photocatalytic performance and stability of Cd 0.8 Zn 0.2 S. Moreover, the practical application in the waste liquid of rare earth tailings reveals that the removal rate can be as high as 91.24 %. This research is of significant value in the development of effective photocatalysts for the elimination of uranium from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shrimps are a widely cultivated species among crustaceans worldwide due to their nutritional profile and delicacy. Because of their unique flavor, shrimp-based food products are gaining consumer demand, so there is a need to understand the flavor chemistry of shrimp meat. Further, the processing and macromolecules of shrimp meat play a significant role in flavor generation and suggest a focus on their research. However, shrimp processing generates a large amount of solid and liquid waste, creating disposal problems and environmental hazards. To overcome this, utilizing these waste products, a rich source of valuable flavor compounds is necessary. This review comprehensively discusses the nutritional aspects, flavor profile, and role of macromolecules in the flavor generation of shrimp meat. Besides, recent trends in analyzing the aroma profile of shrimp and the benefits of shrimp by-products as a source of flavor compounds have been addressed. The delicious flavor of shrimp meat is due to its volatile and nonvolatile flavor compounds. Proteins play a major role in the textural and flavor adsorption properties of shrimp meat-based products. Green extraction technologies, especially ultrasonication, are recommended for valorizing shrimp by-products as a source of flavor compounds, which have enormous applications in the food and flavor industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composite adsorbents based on a natural biopolymer matrix of chitosan, to which 4-amino-N′-hydroxy-1,2,5-oxadiazole-3-carboximidamide and its Se derivative were attached, were synthesized. A complex of physicochemical analysis methods indicates that the direct introduction of a matrix with high ionic permeability into the reaction mixture contributes to the formation of homogeneous particles of composite with developed surface morphology, which enhances the kinetic and capacitive parameters of uranium sorption in liquid media. It has been established that the direct introduction of a matrix with high ionic permeability into the reaction mixture contributes to the formation of homogeneous particles with a developed surface morphology, which enhances the kinetic and capacitive parameters of uranium sorption in liquid media. The synthesized materials had increased sorption-selective properties towards uranium in the pH range from 4 to 9 under static sorption conditions. The formation of the Se derivative of amidoxime during its attachment to the polymer matrix (Se-chit) contributes to the creation of a more chemically stable and highly effective adsorbent, compared to the direct binding of 4-amino-N′-hydroxy-1,2,5-oxadiazole-3-carboximidamide with chitosan (43AF-chit). The optimal parameters for the synthesis of materials were established. It was demonstrated that the ratio of amidoxime to chitosan should be within the range of 2:1 to 1:2. As the mass content of chitosan increases, the material gradually dissolves and transforms into a gel, resulting in the formation of liquid radioactive waste with a complex chemical composition. It was found that the kinetic sorption parameters of composite materials increase 2–10 times compared to those of non-composite materials. The sorption capacity of uranium in solutions with pH 6 and pH 8 can reach approximately 400–450 mg g−1. Under dynamic sorption conditions, the effective filtration cycle values (before uranium slips into the filtrate ≥ 50%) improve significantly when transitioning from a non-composite adsorbent to a composite one: increasing from 50 to 800 b.v. for pH 6 and from 2700 to 4000 b.v. for pH 8. These results indicate that the synthesized sorbents are promising materials for uranium removal from liquid media, suitable for both purification and the recovery of radionuclides as valuable raw materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The textile industry produces liquid waste containing synthetic dyes, such as Remazol yellow FG, which are dif- ficult to decompose naturally and negatively impact the environment. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of biochar derived from coffee fruit shell waste as an adsorbent for removing Remazol yellow FG dye from aqueous solutions. The method used includes pyrolyzing coffee fruit shell at 300 °C for 120 minutes to produce biochar, which is then tested for its dye adsorption capacity through batch experiments with varying dye concentration, pH levels, and contact time. The results showed that coffee fruit shell biochar had a high adsorption capacity at pH 4 and a contact time of 80 minutes. The process of adsorption followed the Langmuir isotherm model with a value r² of 0.91507 for non-active biochar adsorbent and 0.92372 for biochar that had been activated with NaOH. Adsorption kinetics followed second-order kinetics with r² reaching 0.96189 for non-active biochar and 0.96697 for biochar activated with NaOH. The effectiveness of biochar under laboratory conditions highlights its potential as a more economical and environmentally friendly adsorbent compared to commercial activated carbon. This research contributes to the development of liquid waste treatment technologies based on renewable materials, supporting the circular economy in the textile industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An important part of a healthy community comprises healthy families. Living conditions play a crucial role in defining the well-being of the family. The quality of housing, access to basic amenities, environmental factors and the overall socio-economic status of the families have a direct impact on the family health. Methodology: This is a cross sectional study done based on the survey of 200 families based in Hasan Nagar, conducted by the students of Deccan College of Medical Sciences under the guidance of the department of community medicine. The families were surveyed based on a pre-formed questionnaire and the data was analysed using descriptive analysis. Conclusion: In this study of 200 families, 77% were nuclear families, 69.5% had pucca houses. Majority of the families 26.5% had 5 family members. In 45% of the families overcrowding was present. All of the houses had electricity supply. Separate kitchen was present in 77% of the houses. In 85% of families rice was the staple food. 88.5% used public refuse bins for disposal of solid waste and 96% used sewerage systems for liquid waste disposal. Latrine was present in 94% of the houses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dye intermediate industry plays a pivotal role in the textile, paper, and chemical sectors, but it is often associated with significant water pollution owing to the release of complex and colored effluents. This paper explores the implementation of zero liquid discharge (ZLD) as a sustainable solution to address the environmental challenges posed by the dye intermediate industry. ZLD is a comprehensive wastewater management approach that aims to eliminate liquid waste discharge, while recovering valuable resources. The paper delves into the specific challenges faced by the dye intermediate industry, such as the presence of recalcitrant organic compounds and intense coloration in wastewater. It examines how ZLD systems, which typically without involving costly membrane processes, evaporation, crystallization, and chemical treatments, can effectively treat these complex effluents to achieve environmental compliance and resource conservation. Furthermore, the paper discusses the benefits of ZLD adoption in the dye intermediate sector. It has been shown that by making alterations to the primary treatment method, ZLD can be achieved. These include the prevention of water pollution, the preservation of water resources, and compliance with stringent environmental regulations. The economic and operational advantages of ZLD are also highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The processing and control of liquid radioactive waste (LRW) in nuclear power plants (NPP) are critical aspects of nuclear energy management. This study details the principles of the methods and the measuring instruments used for control, and highlights the features and advantages of chemical and radiometric control in radioactive waste processing. The purpose is to systematize and analyze the results and methods used for chemical and radiometric monitoring, treatment technologies, and adherence to regulatory standards. The paper presents findings from an operating NPP with water–water energy reactor power units, showcasing the novelty of systematizing monitoring methods at each stage of LRW processing and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Moreover, the chemical and radiometric indicators in the LRW were analysed, which provides insight into the dynamics of waste processing and classification. In addition, the application of Pearson correlation analysis allowed us to identify the relationships between chemical and radiometric indicators in the LRW, which provides valuable information for waste management practices. The selection of appropriate chemical and radiometric methods is crucial given the complexity of LRW characteristics, making this study relevant for enhancing LRW monitoring and management practices. Highlights: The processing and control of liquid radioactive waste (LRW) in nuclear power plants (NPP) is a critical aspect of nuclear energy management. Both chemical and radiometric monitoring measures are essential to ensure the safe handling, treatment, and disposal of the LRW. Overall, effective monitoring of the LRW in NPP requires a comprehensive approach that includes compliance with regulatory standards. This study involved chemical and radiometric monitoring of the LRW for an operating NPP with water–water power reactors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of World Nuclear Geoscience is the property of World Nuclear Geoscience Editorial Office 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.)

Copyright of World Nuclear Geoscience is the property of World Nuclear Geoscience Editorial Office 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.)

• PB/SiO 2 -NH 2 NFs reached the maximum adsorption capacity of 111.38 mg/g. • APTES is used as a bridge between silica nanofibers and PB. • A synergistic effect of aminoated silica and Prussian blue was observed during cesium removal. • PB/SiO 2 -NH 2 NFs can be used for practical separation of radioactive liquid waste. • The modification strategy is universal to other high performance fibers. To improve the selective separation performance of silica nanofibers (SiO 2 NFs) for cesium ions (Cs+) and overcome the defects of Prussian blue nanoparticles (PB NPs), PB/SiO 2 -NH 2 NFs were prepared to remove Cs+ from water. Among them, 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) underwent an alkylation reaction with SiO 2 , resulting in the formation of a dense Si-O-Si network structure that decorated the surface of SiO 2 NFs. Meanwhile, the amino functional groups in APTES combined with Fe3+ and then reacted with Fe2+ to form PB NPs, which anchored firmly on the aminoated SiO 2 NFs surface. In our experiment, the maximum adsorption capacity of PB/SiO 2 -NH 2 NFs was 111.38 mg/g, which was 31.5 mg/g higher than that of SiO 2 NFs. At the same time, after the fifth cycle, the removal rate of Cs+ by PB/SiO 2 -NH 2 NFs adsorbent was 75.36% ± 3.69%. In addition, the adsorption isotherms and adsorption kinetics of PB/SiO 2 -NH 2 NFs were combined with the Freundlich model and the quasi-two-stage fitting model, respectively. Further mechanism analysis showed that the bond between PB/SiO 2 -NH 2 NFs and Cs+ was mainly a synergistic action of ion exchange, electrostatic adsorption and membrane separation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food and agricultural waste contribute to resource depletion, waste accumulation and climate change. Chicken egg and almond hull waste streams have favourable nutritional profiles but are underexplored for environmentally friendly livestock feed applications. We report extrusion processing and nutritional analysis of blends containing liquid egg and almond hulls. Compositions showed favourable processing, protein content comparable to grain silages and relatively low neutral detergent fibre. No differences in crude protein or fat were observed between Hard-variety and Nonpareil almond hull compositions. Hard-variety compositions contained nearly twice the crude fibre as Nonpareil mixtures. Crude protein increased from 9.3 to 13.8% with 30–50% egg content. Bacterial proliferation in extrudates was minimal due to the low water activity (aw = 0.80–0.82 in 30% egg formulations). No Salmonella or mycotoxins (aflatoxin, vomitoxin, zearalenone) were detected. This work provides a method for repurposing high moisture, high protein food waste into animal feed using abundant, low-cost almond crop residues and demonstrates the feasibility of creating an animal feed from liquid egg waste and almond hulls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a functionalized magnetic powder complex porous carbon derived from ZIF‐8 (ZIF‐8@Na‐Cit@Fe3O4NPs@AC(500°C)) was prepared and applied for the waste liquid containing MB, TC, and Cu2+ adsorption removal. The ZIF‐8@Na‐Cit@Fe3O4NPs@AC(500°C) perfectly inherited the feature of parent ZIF‐8, posed a high specific surface area (SBET = 812.73 m2 g−1), be rich in surface nitrogen functional groups, and resulting in a good dynamic adsorption of the MB, TC, and Cu2+. The ZIF‐8@Na‐Cit@Fe3O4NPs@AC(500°C) exhibited the best adsorption performance of high‐concentration waste liquid containing MB, TC, and Cu2+, with equilibrium adsorption capacity of MB (408 mg g−1), TC (417 mg g−1), and Cu2+ (386 mg g−1), respectively. The acetone and toluene adsorption were spontaneously and exothermic, given the negative values of free energy (ΔG) and enthalpy (ΔH). The difference of MB, TC, and Cu2+ adsorption on ZIF‐8@Na‐Cit@Fe3O4NPs@AC(500°C) attributed to the affinity difference (polarity and molecular diameter) and the nitrogen‐containing functional groups (π‐π interaction and electrostatic attraction). Therefore, it was found that ZIF‐8@Na‐Cit@Fe3O4NPs@AC(500°C) could effectively adsorb MB, TC, and Cu2+, and ZIF‐8@Na‐Cit@Fe3O4NPs@AC(500°C) could remove more than 70% of the above pollutants after repeated use for four times; it has a good application prospect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-Newtonian viscous fluids such as yogurt, honey, etc., due to their extremely high viscosity and complex fluidity, remain on food containers after use, where adhesion and staining occurs, which is a great inconvenience and causes a lot of wasted resources. Hydrophobic coatings can be an excellent candidate for eliminating liquid waste. Inexpensive wollastonite nanoparticles were used to build rough micro- and nano-structures, and chitosan was used to emulsify rice bran wax to prepare green and low surface energy emulsions. The above two were mechanically mixed to obtain the hydrophobic emulsion, and coated on the paper surface and heat-treated to prepare the hydrophobic paper. Contact angles up to 157.3°. The coating exhibits good self-cleaning properties for a wide range of non-Newtonian viscous food liquids and shows excellent resistance to repeated machine bending and multiple abrasion damages, while maintaining its hydrophobicity. After 40 cycles of friction, the contact angle is 148.1°, which is still close to 150° and has good hydrophobicity. In addition, the coating has great potential for application to the interior surfaces of various food packages to reduce or even eliminate liquid food residues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

90Sr is one of the highly radioactive and hazardous nuclides in nuclear waste liquids. The high water solubility and mobility of 90Sr2+ ions make it difficult to effectively remove 90Sr from the complex aqueous environment. Herein, K2SbPO6, a phosphatoantimonate ion exchange material with an excellent removal ability for Sr2+ ions, has been organically granulated with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) by an automated method to form K2SbPO6/PAN composite microspheres. The K2SbPO6/PAN microspheres with radiation resistance exhibit a high maximum adsorption capacity (qmSr) of 131.15 mg g−1 for Sr2+ ions and retain the high removal rate (RSr) in a wide pH range (pH = 3–12). It is important that K2SbPO6/PAN microspheres could efficiently treat Sr2+ ions solutions in a dynamic adsorption manner even at 970 bed volumes (RSr > 81%). This work paves the way for the preparation of low-cost ion exchange materials with the advantages of regular shape and easy operation by a simple and fast method and the practical application of powdered ion exchange materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, cotton waste (white and green) from the textile brushing process and cotton wool were used as raw materials to obtain regenerated cellulose films. Cellulose was dissolved with the ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [EMIM]Cl at temperatures of 110, 120, and 130 °C. The dissolution process was evaluated by polarized light microscopy which demonstrated that at lower temperatures (110 °C and 120 °C), the dissolution is preceded by swelling, whereas at 130 °C, rapid fragmentation of the fibers occurs. The presence of dye in cotton fiber extended the dissolution time. After dissolution at 110 °C and regeneration in a water bath, the films obtained were smooth and homogeneous and preserved the color of the residue. Characterization by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated a transition from crystalline type I cellulose in the cotton samples to an amorphous structure in the regenerated films. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that films showed lower thermal stability than cotton fibers, attributed to cellulose depolymerization. The cotton source did not significantly affect the mechanical properties of the films, which had tensile strength ranging from 25.8 to 33.4 MPa and elongation at break between 14.7 and 19.7%. Overall, textile residues can be used without prior treatment to produce either transparent or intrinsically colored films with potential for application in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inactivation of infectious liquid waste can be performed by different means, including autoclaving or chemical inactivation. Autoclaving is most widely used, but cannot always be implemented, so that chemical inactivation is a possible alternative. However, its efficacy has to be proven by in-house validation. Here, we provide an easy-to-implement validation process adapted from existing standards. Methods: The bactericidal activity of two commercially available disinfectants, containing glucoprotamine or peracetic acid, was tested on two gram-positive bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP). Quantitative suspension tests were adapted from the European standard EN 13727. Membrane filtration was used to remove any trace of the active antiseptic. The stability of working solutions and the effect of different organic loads were also assessed. Further, the aquatic toxicity of glucoprotamine was tested on the viability and behavior of zebrafish larvae. Results: Peracetic acid was highly efficient against both strains, even at a working concentration of 0.25% for 1 minute S. pneumoniae was also highly sensitive to glucoprotamine, whereas MRSA required either higher concentrations (1%) or longer exposure times (30 min) at lower concentrations. Further, the lethal dosis that kills 50% of the embryos (LD50) for glucoprotamine was 3–3.5 mg/L using the zebrafish Embryo Acute Toxicity Test. Conclusion: We could confirm the very high efficacy of glucoprotamine- and peracetic-based disinfectants to inactivate liquid waste containing gram-positive bacteria. Also considering aquatic toxicity, this methodology could help laboratories to establish validated procedures for chemical inactivation of infectious liquid wastes relevant to their institution, balancing efficacy, and environmental issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uranium in the radioactive wastewater produced by uranium conversion process is higher than the emission limit value, so it is of great significance to treat it to reduce its concentration. Nanofiltration technology and ion exchange technology were combined to treat uranium-containing wastewater and it can achieve the discharge standard. For the treatment system, uranium was firstly enriched in nanofiltration concentrate, and the concentrate entered the ion exchange system for selective adsorption of uranium. Because uranium exists in the form of complex cations or anions at different pH conditions, the use of cation–anion exchange resin tandem treatment technology can effectively and selectively adsorb almost all uranium. Both laboratory and engineering application results showed that the uranium concentration in the nanofiltration solution can be reduced to less than 50 μg/L after treating by the nanofiltration system for the wastewater containing 5–100 mg/L uranium. This work demonstrated that nanofiltration-ion exchange technology is practical and valuable for the treatment of acidic or alkaline uranium-containing waste liquid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The removal of radioactive Cs(I) is critical for the management of radioactive liquid waste. In this study, four sorbents impregnated with different 1,3-alternate calix[4]arane-2,4-crown-6 ligands on XAD-7 resin were prepared for Cs(I) selective removal from strongly acidic aqueous solution. The ligands differ in the substituent groups (benzyl, 4-tert-butyl benzyl, isopropyl, and n-octyl) at 1,3-alternate positions of the supramolecular platform of calix[4]arane-2,4-crown-6 ether. The sorption of Cs(I) was investigated as a function of contact time, HNO3 concentration, ligand concentration and temperature using a batch method. The experimental results indicated that Cs(I) sorption on the sorbents is rapid and reaches sorption steady state in 30 min. All sorbents exhibit excellent Cs(I) sorption selectivity in a simulated high-level liquid waste (HLLW). Cs(I) sorption on the sorbents is an exothermic process. The substituent groups of the ligands affect both the kinetics and the thermodynamics of Cs(I) sorption on the sorbents. The sorbents impregnated with benzyl and 4-tert-benzyl derivatives exhibit better Cs(I) sorption performance in terms of Cs(I) sorption distribution coefficient and Cs(I) selectivity in the simulated HLLW system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Borosilicate glasses are the primary waste forms for the industrial immobilization of high‐level liquid waste. Yet, the compositional variation of waste glasses can form the diopside phase, which can be detrimental to the melting process and the properties of the final glass products. This study prepared simulated waste glasses with variable contents of alkaline earth metals, boron, transition metals, and rare earth metal oxide and subjected them to heat treatments. The effect of the compositional variation on the diopside crystallization behavior was explored using differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy‐energy dispersive spectroscopy. The results revealed that the average size of diopside crystals was proportional to the square root of the heat treatment durations. Increased contents of alkaline earth and transition metal oxides could contribute to the growth of diopside crystals, while boron oxide tended to inhibit it. Finally, a prediction model correlating the average crystal size, compositional variation, and heat treatment durations was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sanitation in residential areas is significantly essential, requiring more attention, particularly in areas with dense population and developing countries such as Indonesia. High population density increases the challenges of treating solid and liquid waste produced by residents. Therefore, this study aimed to assess sanitation risk in sub-district of Central Jakarta, Indonesia, based on four indicators, namely hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and capacity. The analysis started with hazard indicators, followed by an assessment of potential exposure to hazard, and determination of vulnerability level. In the final stage, the capacity was evaluated to determine the ability of the current system to address sanitation issues. The results showed that most areas of sub-district were at low risk due to the sufficient capacity of the current system to meet the needs of residents. However, there were also areas with poor sanitation, particularly in facing natural disasters such as floods and droughts. Sanitation risk assessment used in this study provided valuable information to identify priority areas for sanitation development. The results would support the government in determining development budget priorities for sanitation infrastructure development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the ideal location for an abattoir in Adola Woyu town, taking into account environmental considerations by utilizing remote sensing and GIS, and collaborated with Ethiopia's national urban planning agency for guidance on urban land use planning. The study analyzed various factors such as land use, cover, elevation, slope, streams, distance from roads, high-tension lines, social services, and boreholes. Researchers found acceptable areas with a highly attractive location of 1.27%, 28.42% being suitable, 21.54% being somewhat suitable, and 48.75% being unsuitable by hierarchical weighting utilizing the MCE approach. The highly desirable areas are in the north-west, north-east, and south-east, classified as bare land. The suitable areas are near the edges of built-up zones, while the unsuitable sites are in developed areas. The study's main objective is to have the abattoir situated in an ideal location to minimize environmental impact from liquid and solid waste, airborne waste, and noise pollution while promoting sustainable land-use practices. The results are readily applicable for land-use planners and managers to make informed decisions on the strategic placement of the abattoir. By implementing the study's recommendations, we can effectively minimize negative impacts on adjacent ecosystems while promoting responsible and sustainable development practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Synthetic Fiber Industry is the property of Sinopec Baling Petrochemical Company 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.)

In quest of a substantial reduction in potentially toxic gas emissions into the air from industrial plants, dry flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems offer several advantages, such as reduced operational costs, adaptability, ease of use, and the elimination of liquid waste. This study describes the development of a laboratory-scale pilot system for conducting SO2 abatement experiments using a fixed-bed reactor. To validate the experimental setup, the reactor was equipped with a control system for measuring and monitoring relative humidity, temperature, and total flux composition. The study utilized two standards, slaked lime and 13X zeolite, under identical experimental conditions to ensure comparability. This research will significantly advance the understanding of adsorbent materials for capturing low SO2 concentrations by measuring adsorption kinetics and equilibrium data. The findings highlight the impact of distinct morphological, chemical, and crystallographic properties on the efficiency of dry FGD systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health centers are health service facilities that produce waste containing microorganisms, toxic chemicals and radioactive materials that are dangerous and can pose risks to health and the environment. The purpose of this study was to determine the sources of health center waste and the types of waste from health center activities. This research method is a type of cross-sectional study, and data collection is done by filling out a questionnaire. The results of the study are the sources of health center waste, namely from the activities of the dental clinic, laboratory, Maternal and Child Health room, and the Emergency Unit room. The types of health center waste are liquid, domestic, solid medical, and toxic and hazardous. For the processing of liquid waste, all health centers in Mataram City have adequate wastewater treatment plants, either with a biofilter wastewater treatment plant system or other types of wastewater treatment plants, from 11 health centers, which have carried out sorting and have temporary storage places, namely 8 health centers. The process of managing medical waste involves sorting, transportation, storage and final processing with a third party. The weak point of B3 waste management is in the recording and sorting system of B3 solid waste and routine reporting of environmental management efforts and environmental monitoring efforts to related agencies that have not been able to be carried out by all existing health center agencies.

The working anaerobic reactor in the tofu-manufacturing industry generates wastewater as the effluent which contains high organic nitrogen, the largest pollutant to the surrounding irrigation system of tofu-manufacturing industries. To minimize the environmental problems, this type of wastewater requires a waste management strategy that can transform organic nitrogen from ammonia into nitrate through the nitrification pathway. This study aimed at optimizing the hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of tofu-manufacturing wastewater nitrification employing an aerobic biofilter reactor. The liquid waste was collected from the active hybrid upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor of the tofu-manufacturing industry located in Polonia Medan, Indonesia. Using laboratory-standardized techniques, the waste was characterized based on the suspended solids, volatile suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia, and nitrate. The result indicated that higher HLR was ineffective for ammonia and COD removals. Treating the wastewater using a biofilter reactor resulted in a brownish-yellow color, suggesting the success of the treatment. The elevation of nitrate content from 55.06 mg/L in the influent to 190.25-225.25 mg/L in the effluent suggests an effective nitrification process. Moreover, the optimizing HLR up to 38 hours at 0.1397 m3/m2 is considered the best condition for operating a biofilter reactor for the nitrification process of tofu wastewater treatment. Finally, effective HLR for nitrification using an aerobic biofilter reactor significantly reduces the danger of environmental pollution from the tofu-manufacturing industries through ammonia and COD minimization.

High-level liquid waste (HLLW) generated through nuclear reactions and spent fuel reprocessing contains the critical transuranic element neptunium (Np). Thus, the efficient recovery of Np from HLLW via the TRPO (trialkylphosphine oxide) process is not only beneficial for radioactive contamination remediation but also boosts the recycling of precious nuclear resources. However, this process including Np(V)–Np(IV) conversion is highly dependent on the components coexisting in HLLW, and its underlying mechanism is still not clear, restricting the recovery of Np in multiple scenarios. Herein, the effect of coexisting metal ions on the reduction and extraction of Np(V) was studied, and molybdenum (Mo) was identified to play a vital role in this course. Additionally, in combination with absorption spectral analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and solvent extraction, the promotion of the extraction of Np by Mo was elucidated to be due to the catalytic reduction effect both in the aqueous phase and organic phase. This study can help researchers better understand the redox chemistry of Np in the treatment of HLLW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We report the analysis and characterization and the preliminary biological evaluation, of both liquid and solid wastes obtained from the processing of wheat (Triticum vulgare) to produce the most iconic phytostimulin-based pharmaceutical products. The study aims to verify whether the waste can be reused in another process and not destined to its simple destructive disposal. Methods: In this perspective, we first carried out an in-depth chemical-physical analysis of the waste together with a biocompatibility evaluation to plan the feasible final choice of waste destination. The liquid and solid waste derived from the processing of wheat extract were analyzed and characterized through ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS). Results: Results highlight that ferulic acid represent the most abundant phenolic compound for solid waste with a content of 89.782 mg/kg and dihydroferulic acid is the predominant for liquid waste (6.24 mg/L). These concentrations represent 55.87% and 84.39% of the total concentration of bioactive compounds for liquid and solid waste, respectively. The antioxidant activity registered for the solid extract was 8.598 and 7.262 mmol trolox/kg, respectively for ABTS and FRAP assays. The total phenolic content (TPC) in the liquid extract undergoes a significant percentage reduction compared to the solid waste. As regards toxicity, both liquid and solid wastes were investigated in vitro preclinical models of human skin (HaCaT cells and HDFa) after 24, 48, and 72 h of exposure. No cytotoxic effect was noted even at the highest tested concentration (100 μg/mL) at 72 h. Discussion: Overall, considering its chemo-physical features and active ingredients, we believe that this waste is highly reusable as a starting material for the development of cosmeceutical products. Thus, this study allows us to motivate the destination of the waste of the production in a recyclable raw material for additional industrial processes, thereby promoting an eco-friendly circular economy operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the feasibility of preparing a calcined laterite–phosphoric acid–Fe 3 O 4 -based geopolymer is investigated and its application for immobilizing radioactive borate liquid waste (RBLW) is explored. The addition of Fe 3 O 4 enhances the compressive strength of the geopolymer and mitigates the retardation effects on the geopolymer caused by RBLW. Reactions between Fe 3 O 4 and H 3 PO 4 not only promote the geopolymerization process by generating heat and forming additional geopolymer gel, but also produce amorphous iron–phosphorus phases, contributing to higher compressive strength of the waste forms. Moreover, partial replacement of [AlO 4 ] tetrahedra with [FeO 6 ] octahedra creates stable –Fe–O–P–O–Al–O–Si– network structures. The geopolymer waste forms exhibit remarkable leaching resistance after Fe 3 O 4 addition owing to the reduced open porosity, leading to radionuclide immobilization through physical encapsulation more efficiently. Furthermore, residual Fe 3 O 4 may contribute to Co2+ immobilization through magnetic adsorption. Overall, the calcined laterite–phosphoric acid–Fe 3 O 4 -based geopolymer waste forms exhibit excellent performance in immobilizing RBLW, offering a new strategy for RBLW treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large variations in water quality and quantity are the main characteristics of rural wastewater in China, and the biggest impact caused by this is the lack of carbon sources. In this study, an anoxic–oxic (A/O) biological contact oxidation (BCO) reactor was used to explore the feasibility of using food waste fermentation liquid as the supplementary carbon source for enhanced nitrogen removal from rural wastewater. After using the carbon source supplements, the removal performance of the A/O BCO system was improved, with the removal efficiencies of COD, NH4+–N, and TN at 92.4%, 97.8%, and 67.6%, respectively. Mechanism studies showed that the activities of key denitrifying enzymes (NAR, NIR, NOR, and NOS) for nitrogen removal were improved, with NIR activity increasing by 36.9%. Microbial community analysis revealed that food waste fermentation liquid increased the diversity of denitrifying microbial populations. Notably, insights from metagenomics showed that the relative abundances of two key genes (nirS and nirK), which are vital indicators of the denitrification process, were significantly improved with the addition of food waste fermentation liquid as a supplemental carbon source, resulting in the enhancement of nitrogen removal from rural wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whey is the largest waste product of the cheese-making industry and the current methods of extracting the nutrients from it are costly and inefficient. This study assessed the feasibility of using crude polysaccharides to flocculate proteins from liquid whey waste. The flocculants used were a sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) extract, as well as commercial seaweed polysaccharides, alginate and k-carrageenan, to recover proteins from the liquid whey waste. Physicochemical and functional parameters including protein content, protein recovery efficiency, mineral content, total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity, color, water- and oil-holding capacity, gelling capacity, foaming activity and stability, and emulsifying activity and stability were tested on the resulting flocculates. The yield of the dried flocculates by use of alginate, the sugar kelp polysaccharide extract (SKPE), and carrageenan were 1.66, 0.98, and 1.22 g/100 g of liquid whey with protein contents of 27.4%, 45.5%, and 37.5%, respectively. The protein recovery efficiency from the whey was 57.5%, 56.2%, and 57.9% using alginate, SKPE, and carrageenan, respectively. The alginate flocculate had the highest oil-holding capacity and foaming abilities while the carrageenan flocculate had the best gelling ability and the highest emulsifying activity and stability. TPC and antioxidant activity were highest in the SKPE flocculate. All three flocculates presented slightly different compositional and functional qualities, which could be used for a variety of products. This study showed that seaweed polysaccharides present a simple and effective way to extract protein from liquid whey waste while creating a functional and high-protein ingredient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Wood vinegar is a waste liquid recovered from the pyrolysis of wood to produce charcoal and a complex mixture. It is an environmentally friendly, high-quality product that can bring additional economic benefits to the plant. It is due to the diversity of its composition in agricultural practices that wood vinegar is a natural antimicrobial agent, but no study has yet investigated its antimicrobial mechanism. In this work, we evaluate the effects of wood vinegar on Escherichia coli (E. coli) in vitro, including inhibiting the growth curve of E. coli, disrupting the cellular morphology of E. coli, and crumpling E. coli cell membranes. In addition, the hypothesis that wood vinegar may inhibit biofilm formation in E. coli by suppressing the expression of malE, which in turn initiates a series of inhibitory effects, is also proposed in this study through transcriptome sequencing results. It provides a theoretical basis for the mechanism of wood vinegar as a natural antibacterial agent. To solve the problem of large-scale growth of wetland reeds, wood vinegar, a by-product of pyrolysed reed wood vinegar, can be used as a natural antimicrobial agent. In this study, we compare the changes in growth and bacterial morphology of Escherichia coli (E. coli) treated with reed wood vinegar at different pyrolysis temperatures (300 °C, 500 °C and 700 °C) and reveal the bacterial inhibition mechanism of reed wood vinegar by RNA-Seq. The results of bacteria inhibitory activity showed that 1/2MIC 500 °C wood vinegar had the most prominent bacteria inhibitory activity. qPCR results showed that reed wood vinegar was able to significantly inhibit the expression of E. coli biofilm and genes related to the cell membrane transporter proteins. Electron microscopy observed that the wood vinegar disrupted the cellular morphology of E. coli, resulting in the crumpling of E. coli cell membranes. RNA-Seq showed the multifaceted antimicrobial effects of wood vinegar and demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of wood vinegar on E. coli was mainly realized through the inhibition of the expression of malE, which is an ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter complex of E. coli. In conclusion, our study provides an effective method and a theoretical basis for the mechanism of reed wood vinegar as a natural antimicrobial agent and its pathway of bacterial inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selective separation of Am(III) over Eu(III) from high-level radioactive liquid waste using four bis-succinamide ligands (THE-BisSCA, L1; THDM-BisSCA, L2; THDPh-BisSCA, L3; THDi−P-BisSCA, L4) was explored with density functional theory. Ligands with phenyl groups near the nitrogen, particularly L3, showed the highest Eu(III) affinity. The π bonds orbitals of the benzene ring may conjugate with the long pair N-2p orbital, and this special p-π conjugation effect can lead to charge transfer from benzene ring to the donor N atoms on L3 ligand, resulting a lower energy and more stable structure of the complex formed with the L3 ligand compared to other complexes. Thermodynamic analysis corroborates L3 has Eu(III) preference, offering valuable guidance for efficient Am(III) and Eu(III) separation with these ligands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Italy, watermelon cultivation spans 9510 hectares, with production levels largely influenced by seasonal market demand. As a result, surplus watermelon left unsold by September often remain in the fields, where they decompose naturally and go to waste. A chemical analysis of the watermelon liquid fraction waste (WW) indicates a high carbohydrate concentration, highlighting the potential for biotechnological valorization of this waste stream, converting it into lipids or exopolysaccharides (EPSs). This study investigates the feasibility of utilizing WW as an alternative growth substrate for microalgae, aligning with circular economy principles and advancing sustainable agricultural practices. By repurposing agricultural byproducts, this research supports biorefinery objectives, aiming to convert biomass into high-value secondary products, including biofuels, pigments, and nutraceuticals. Scenedesmus and Chlorella strains demonstrated promising growth and adaptability in WW, achieving biomass yields of 0.95 ± 0.07 g L−1 and 0.37 ± 0.02 g L−1, respectively, with a significant EPS production observed as medium gelation. Although lipid accumulation was limited in this case by the WW substrate, the lipid profiles of both strains were distinctively altered, notably lacking linolenic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Garuda River is one of the tributaries of Bengawan Solo in Sragen Regency which is suspected of experiencing a decline in water quality. This study aims to determine the quality and pollution load carrying capacity (PLCC) of the Garuda River to the source of pollutants, especially those caused by tofu industrial liquid waste. The research method used in this study is a quantitative method to analyze the status of river water quality using the pollution index (PI) method and the calculation of river PLCC using the QUAL2Kw model with 3 modeling scenarios. The analysis showed that the Garuda River was proven not to meet the class III quality standards because several parameters such as temperature, TSS, nitrite (NO2-N), and total Coliform were above the set quality standards. Based on the calculation of the pollution index, it was found that the Garuda River was proven to be polluted with a lightly polluted quality status with a pollution score ranging from 1.49 to 2.91. Based on QUAL2Kw modeling, it was found that the PLCC of Garuda River for TSS parameters was 233.28-259.20 kg/day, BOD was 12.96-15.55 kg/day, and COD was 51.84-103.68 kg/day. One of the control efforts that can be carried out is reducing the pollutant burden on each source of pollution, especially point source pollutants from tofu industrial liquid waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Atomic Energy Science & Technology is the property of Editorial Board of Atomic Energy Science & Technology 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.)

Though indium has been removed from the fifth list (2023) of critical raw materials for the European Union list of critical metals, its recovery is still of paramount importance due to its wide use in a series of high-tech industries. As its recovery is closely associated with zinc mining, the recycling of In-bearing wastes is also of interest, for both profitable and environmental reasons. With unit operations (in hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy or extractive metallurgy) playing a key role in the recycling of indium, the present work reviewed the most recent innovations (2024) regarding the use of these operations in the recovery from this valuable metal from different solid or liquid wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The latest World Food Security Outlook predicted stabilization in global food security by 2024; however, nearly one billion people still face the threat of food insecurity. Fertilisers, crucial for maximizing crop yields, are the subject of scrutiny due to their environmental impact and health concerns. Efforts are being made to use fertilisers more efficiently and maintain soil nutrient balance to address these issues. In this research, different solid and liquid wastes from the food industry were used to granulate organic biofertilisers with a rotary drum granulator. This included buckwheat biomass (BBM), buckwheat husks (BH), buckwheat husk ash (BHA), bone meal (BM), molasses solution (MS), and beaten eggs (BE). Using standardized fertiliser testing methods, it was found that the biofertilisers produced by the drum granulator comply with the requirements for bulk fertilisers, as they are rich in plant nutrients, the static strength of their granules is high (7–14 N/granule), and their moisture content is higher (4–8%) than that of conventional mineral fertilisers, but the hygroscopicity of the granules when stored in standard conditions (30–60% humidity, temperature of 20–25 °C) is low. Due to their slightly alkaline pH, it is likely that such fertilisers could be used in acidic soils and would have a double effect—they would improve plant growth and soil properties (increase the amount of organic matter and reduce acidity). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater is considered a good reservoir of mineral elements that can be used for agriculture, aquaculture, and some other activities after adopting suitable measures. The gap between supply and demand for water is increasing exponentially because of the abrupt boost to the world's population. This poses a threat to human life as it has reached alarming levels in some parts of the globe. Normally, wastewater consists of liquid waste produced by commercial or industrial sources for daily use, consumption, and production. It is time to refocus our attention on a kind of circulating water system by reusing municipal wastewater for agricultural purposes, particularly irrigation. The recycled or treated water would be used as an alternative to fresh water. In the current study, the impact of various organic amendments was studied to mitigate the toxic effects of pollutants present in wastewater by cultivating maize as a test crop. The present study comprised five treatments replicated four times with a randomized complete block design under field conditions. In this experiment, the treatments included T1 (treatment 1) = control (wastewaterpolluted soil without the application of any amendment), T2 = farmyard manure (FYM) at 2.5 tons ha-1 (hectare-1), T3 = FYM at 5.0 tons ha-1, T4 = compost at 2.5 tons ha-1, and T5 = compost at 5.0 tons ha-1. The application of FYM at 5.0 tons ha-1 (T3) was recorded as being the most effective as the maximum improvement was observed in soil characteristics such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and organic matter, and for T3, these were 7.33, 2.22 dS m-1, 8.16, and 0.94%, respectively. T3 remained most superior in reducing the concentration of heavy metals in the soil; for example, lead, cadmium, nickel, and arsenic for T3 were 8.64, 1.34, 10.44, and 2.25 mg kg-1 (milligrams per kg), respectively. Maximum fresh biomass (fodder yield) of 9.98 tons ha-1 was harvested when FYM was applied at 5.0 tons ha-1 to the soil compared to 6.2 tons ha-1 in the control plot. The highest contents of nitrogen (1.20%), phosphorus (0.41%), and potassium (3.97%) were observed in maize plants for T3. In maize plants (T3), the concentration of lead, cadmium, nickel, and arsenic was reduced to levels of 1.92, 0.23, 2.28, and 1.25 mg kg-1, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded from the findings of the experiment that the application of FYM significantly reduced heavy metal concentrations and improved soil health, along with maize crop growth and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selective uptake and elution of trace amounts of hazardous radioactive 90Sr from large-scale high-level liquid waste (HLW) is crucial for sustainable development. Here, we propose a site differentiation strategy, based on the presence of distinct selective metal capture sites (concavity site and tweezer site) within the giant polyoxoniobate (PONb) nanoclusters of an all-inorganic PONb framework (FZU-1). Through this strategy, FZU-1 can not only effectively remove 98.9% of Sr²⁺ from simulated nuclear liquid waste, performing best among the reported Sr adsorbents, but also achieve desorption of adsorbed Sr²⁺ ions by selectively loading Na⁺ ions, thus enabling the recycling of FZU-1. Based on the well-defined single-crystal structures and theoretical studies, it can be revealed that the rapid and selective uptake of Sr²⁺ is attributed to the strong binding energy between the Sr²⁺ ions and the concavity sites. The effective elution of Sr²⁺, on the other hand, stems from the preferential binding of Na⁺ ions at the tweezer sites, elevating the cluster's electrostatic potential and indirectly facilitating the elution of Sr²⁺ ions. The exceptional stability of FZU-1, along with its rapid and selective Sr²⁺ capture and elution capabilities, positions it as a promising candidate for large-scale nuclear waste treatment and groundwater remediation applications. Here, the authors propose a site differentiation strategy in ion exchange, that is, functional materials with different adsorption sites for specific metal ions can achieve efficient uptake and elution of specific ions (e.g., Sr2+ ion in this work). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]