Metals in agricultural soils and plants in Egypt

Since analysis of both soil and plants are useful to assess contamination of a geographic area, concentrations of five representative metals: copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and iron (Fe) in soil and associated plants were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Samples were collected from four different Egyptian regions (El-mehala El-kobra, Kafr El-Sheikh, Kafr El-zayat, and Al-fayoum) during spring and summer 2010. Concentrations of the selected metals in agricultural soils were significantly different among locations and seasons. Concentrations of Cd and Fe in soils at the four locations exceeded the maximum allowable concentrations for Cd (8 mg/kg, dry mass (dm)) and Fe (1000 mg/kg, dm). Accumulation was different for clover and cotton. Clover blossoms grown in soil from Kafr El-zayat contained the greatest concentrations of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Fe. Cotton flowers from El-mehala El-kobra accumulated the highest levels of Cd. Concentrations of Cd and Pb in both clover and cotton flowers from the four locations exceeded maximum allowable concentrations (3 mg/kg, dm) for both Cd and Pb. Using such agricultural soils for cultivation of edible crops for consumption may result in chronic hazards to human health.     

Potential of microalgae Bio-Coke as a sustainable solid fuel alternative to coal coke

Energy and environmental issues have triggered the search for new sources of green energy alternatives in recent years. Biofuel production from renewable sources is widely considered one of the most sustainable alternatives for environmental and economic sustainability. Microalgae are currently being promoted as one of the most promising liquid biofuel feedstocks due to their rapid growth, high lipid production capacity, and carbon–neutral cycle. In this study, whole microalgae cells were utilized as raw material to produce solid biofuel, i.e., Bio-Coke, and this study aimed to investigate the possibility of microalgae Bio-Coke as an alternative to coal coke. The results show that Bio-Coke can be produced from microalgae in the temperature range of 80–100 °C. The apparent density is between 1.253 and 1.261 g/cm³, comparable to the apparent density of lignocellulosic Bio-Coke. Additionally, the calorific value is higher than the calorific value of lignocellulosic Bio-Coke and within the range of the calorific value of subbituminous coal. Therefore, microalgae Bio-Coke can be utilized to replace coal coke usage in the future.

     

Human dietary intake and hazard characterization for residues of neonicotinoides and organophosphorus pesticides in Egyptian honey

In two recently published reports, hazards posed by dietary exposure to organophosphate and neonicotinoid plant protection products on the European honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) in Egypt were investigated. Using concentrations reported in those studies, an assessment of hazards posed by these two classes of insecticides to humans due to consumption of Egyptian honey from the Nile Delta during both spring and summer was performed. Twenty-eight compounds including metabolites were assessed for exposure of adult Egyptians based on the best- and worst-case scenarios. Even for the worst-case scenario, exposure to these two classes of pesticides in honey was 15-fold less than hazard index value of 1.0 for adverse effects on humans. Based upon this analysis, people exposed to these insecticides through consumption of honey products would be unlikely to exhibit adverse health outcomes.     

The effectiveness of environmental education workshops for teachers,learners and schools in Malaysia

In Malaysia, various efforts have been introduced to increase the knowledge, skills and awareness of citizens to the benefit of the environment by means of a variety of programmes. However, uncertainty about the effectiveness of environmental education programmes and the way they contribute to sustainability still exists. This paper reports on an evaluation of the Kelab Pencinta Alam (KPA) (School Nature Clubs) programme organised by the Malaysia Nature Society and the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia. The Kellogg Logic Model was used as an evaluative instrument as the impact of the programme had to be determined. This was done through questionnaires to teachers and principals in KPA schools. School visits were also undertaken to evaluate workplace success and to validate the findings from the questionnaires. Overall, the evaluation showed a high level of success for the programme.     

Biodegradation of 4-aminobenzenesulfonate by Ralstonia sp. PBA and Hydrogenophaga sp. PBC isolated from textile wastewater treatment plant

A co-culture consisting of Hydrogenophaga sp. PBC and Ralstonia sp. PBA, isolated from textile wastewater treatment plant could tolerate up to 100 mM 4-aminobenzenesulfonate (4-ABS) and utilize it as sole carbon, nitrogen and sulfur source under aerobic condition. The biodegradation of 4-ABS resulted in the release of nitrogen and sulfur in the form of ammonium and sulfate respectively. Ninety-eight percent removal of chemical oxygen demand attributed to 20 mM of 4-ABS in cell-free supernatant could be achieved after 118 h. Effective biodegradation of 4-ABS occurred at pH ranging from 6 to 8. During batch culture with 4-ABS as sole carbon and nitrogen source, the ratio of strain PBA to PBC was dynamic and a critical concentration of strain PBA has to be reached in order to enable effective biodegradation of 4-ABS. Haldane inhibition model was used to fit the degradation rate at different initial concentrations and the parameters μ_max, K_s and K_i were determined to be 0.13 h⁻¹, 1.3 mM and 42 mM respectively. HPLC analyses revealed traced accumulation of 4-sulfocatechol and at least four unidentified metabolites during biodegradation. This is the first study to report on the characterization of 4-ABS-degrading bacterial consortium that was isolated from textile wastewater treatment plant.     

Optimization of decolorization of palm oil mill effluent (POME) by growing cultures of Aspergillus fumigatus using response surface methodology

The conventional treatment process of palm oil mill effluent (POME) produces a highly colored effluent. Colored compounds in POME cause reduction in photosynthetic activities, produce carcinogenic by-products in drinking water, chelate with metal ions, and are toxic to aquatic biota. Thus, failure of conventional treatment methods to decolorize POME has become an important problem to be addressed as color has emerged as a critical water quality parameter for many countries such as Malaysia. Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from POME sludge was successfully grown in POME supplemented with glucose. Statistical optimization studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of the types and concentrations of carbon and nitrogen sources, pH, temperature, and size of the inoculum. Characterization of the fungus was performed using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Brunauer, Emmet, and Teller surface area analysis. Optimum conditions using response surface methods at pH 5.7, 35 °C, and 0.57 % w/v glucose with 2.5 % v/v inoculum size resulted in a successful removal of 71 % of the color (initial ADMI of 3,260); chemical oxygen demand, 71 %; ammoniacal nitrogen, 35 %; total polyphenolic compounds, 50 %; and lignin, 54 % after 5 days of treatment. The decolorization process was contributed mainly by biosorption involving pseudo-first-order kinetics. FTIR analysis revealed that the presence of hydroxyl, C–H alkane, amide carbonyl, nitro, and amine groups could combine intensively with the colored compounds in POME. This is the first reported work on the application of A. fumigatus for the decolorization of POME. The present investigation suggested that growing cultures of A. fumigatus has potential applications for the decolorization of POME through the biosorption and biodegradation processes.     

Extraction of Co,Ni, Cu,Zn and Cd ions using 2-aminophenylaminopropylpolysiloxane

Insoluble porous solid functionalized ligand system bearing 2-aminophenylaminopropyl chelating ligand of the general formula P–(CH₂)₃NH–(C₆H₄)–NH₂ was prepared via the sol–gel process, where P represents [Si–O] _n polysiloxane network. First, the 2-aminophenylaminopropylsilane agent was prepared by substitution reaction between 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane and 1,2-phenylenediamine, followed by hydrolytic polycondensation between 2-aminophenylaminopropylsilane agent and tetraethylorthosilicate(TEOS). The immobilized 2-aminophenylaminopropylpolysiloxane P–(CH₂)₃NH–(C₆H₄)–NH₂(P–AphA) was characterized by ¹³C NMR, XPS, and FTIR. The results showed that 1,2-phenylenediamine groups were introduced onto polysiloxane network. The functionalized ligand system exhibits 90–100% metal uptake capacity for all metal ions except Cd²⁺. The elemental analysis data and the metal uptake capacities of the immobilized ligand system suggest that over than 90% ligand sites were involved in coordination with metal ions except that of cadmium forming 1:1 metal to ligand ratio complexes.     

Blocking prostanoid receptors switches on multiple immune responses and cascades of inflammatory signaling against larval stages in snail fever

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Schistosomiasis, also known as snail fever or bilharziasis, is a worm infection caused by trematode called schistosomes that affects humans and...     

In-silico screening of naturally derived phytochemicals against SARS-CoV Main protease

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a rapidly growing pandemic that requires urgent therapeutic intervention. Finding potential anti COVID-19 drugs...     

Investigating Malaysian stakeholders’ perceptions of the government’s aim to replace conventional plastic bags with biodegradable and compostable bioplastic bags

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - A transition from petroleum-based plastic bags to biodegradable and compostable bioplastic bags will affect stakeholders across the value chain of...