Photolysis of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the marine environment under simulated sunlight conditions: irradiation and identification

The photochemical fate of 16 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) found in the environment has been studied under controlled laboratory conditions applying a sunlight simulator. Aqueous samples containing PPCPs at environmentally relevant concentrations were extracted by solid-phase extraction (SPE) after irradiation. The exposed extracts were subsequently analysed by liquid chromatography combined with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) for studying the kinetics of photolytic transformations. Almost all exposed PPCPs appeared to react with a half-life time (τ _1/2) of less than 30 min. For ranitidine, sulfamethoxazole, diclofenac, warfarin, sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin, τ_1/2 was found to be even less than 5 min. The structures of major photolysis products were determined using quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QToF) and spectroscopic data reported in the literature. For diclofenac, the transformation products carbazol-1-yl-acidic acid and 8-chloro-9H-carbazol-1-yl-acetic acid were identified based on the mass/charge ratio of protonated ions and their fragmentation pattern in negative electrospray ionization (ESI^?-QTOF). Irradiation of carbamazepine resulted in three known products: acridine, carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide, and 10,11-dihydro-10,11-dihydroxy-carbamazepine, whereas acetaminophen was photolytically transformed to 1-(2-amino-5 hydroxyphenyl) ethenone. These photochemical products were subsequently identified in seawater or fish samples collected at sites exposed to wastewater effluents on the Saudi Arabian coast of the Red Sea.     

Cytotoxic effects of seven Tunisian hospital wastewaters on the proliferation of human breast cancer cell line MDA-231: correlation with their chemical characterization

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Hospital wastewaters contain large amounts of pharmaceutical residues, which may eventually be discharged into the aquatic environment through...     

Carbon dioxide emission in relation with irrigation and organic amendments from a sweet corn field

Soil moisture and organic matter level affects soil respiration and microbial activities, which in turn impact greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of irrigation levels (75% [deficit], 100% [full], and 125% [excess] of reference crop evapotranspiration requirements), and organic amendments (OA) type (chicken manure [CM] and bone meal [BM]) and OA application rates (0,168, 336 and 672 kg total N ha^?1) on (i) soil physical properties (bulk density, organic matter content and soil moisture content) and (ii) soil carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from a highly weathered tropical Hawai'ian soil. Carbon dioxide readings were consistently taken once or twice a week for the duration of the cropping season. A drip irrigation system was used to apply the appropriate amount of irrigation water to the treatment plots. Treatments were randomly selected and corresponding organic amendments were manually incorporated into the soil. Plots were cultivated with sweet corn (Zea mays ‘SS-16’). Soil moisture content within and below the rootzone was monitored using a TDR 300 soil moisture sensor (Spectrum Technologies, Inc., Plainfield, IL, USA) connected with 12 cm long prongs. Soil bulk density and organic matter content were determined at the end of the cropping season. Analysis of variance results revealed that OA type, rate, and their interaction had significant effect on soil CO₂ flux (P < 0.05). Among the OA rates, all CM mostly resulted in significantly higher soil CO₂ fluxes compared to BM and control treatment (p < 0.05). The two highest rates of BM treatment were not significantly different from the control with regard to soil CO₂ flux. In addition, organic amendments affected soil moisture dynamics during the crop growing season and organic matter content measured after the crop harvest. While additional studies are needed to further investigate the effect of irrigation levels on soil CO₂ flux, it is recommended that in order to minimize soil CO₂ emissions, BM soil amendments could be a potential option to reduce soil CO₂ fluxes from agricultural fields similar to the one used in this study.     

Quality of tube well water intended for irrigation and human consumption with special emphasis on arsenic contamination at the area of Punjab,Pakistan

In the present study, the tube well water quality and the associated health risks, emphasizing on arsenic contamination, were investigated in rural and urban samples from Tehsil Mailsi located in Punjab, Pakistan. Arsenic concentrations (μg/L) were ranged from 12 to 448.5 and which exceeded the WHO recommended limit (10 μg/L) in all cases. The calculated average daily dose (3.3 × 10^?0.4 to 1.2 × 10^?0.2 mg/kg day) and hazard quotient (1.1–40) reflected the potential health risk to local population due to tube well water consumption as drinking purpose. Sodium percent (Na%), sodium absorption ratio, residual sodium carbonate, Kelly’s index and magnesium absorption ratio were also determined to assess the suitability of tube well water for irrigation purpose. The resulting piper plot revealed the Na–Ca–HCO₃ type water chemistry of the area and generally alkaline environment. The spatial distribution of arsenic in the tube well waters pinpoints the significant contribution of anthropogenic activities to arsenic pollution. Nevertheless, different statistical tools, including principal component analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis and correlation matrices, revealed the contribution of both natural and anthropogenic activities and alkaline type of aquifers toward the high level of arsenic contamination.     

Degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons from bottom sludge of crude oil storage tanks using in-vessel composting followed by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide and Fenton

In this research the feasibility of aerated in-vessel composting process followed by chemical oxidation with H₂O₂ and Fenton for removal of petroleum hydrocarbons from oily sludge of crude oil storage tanks was investigated. The ratios of the sludge to immature compost were 1:0 (as abiotic control), 1:2, 1:4, 1:6, 1:8 and 1:10 (as dry basis) at a C:N:P ratio of 100:5:1 and 55 % moisture content for a period of 10 weeks. Six concentrations of H₂O₂ and Fenton were added to the compost mixture for a period of 24- and 48-h reaction times. Results showed that petroleum hydrocarbons removal in ratios of 1:2, 1:4, 1:6, 1:8 and 1:10 were 66.6, 73.2, 74.8, 80.2 and 79.9 %, respectively. The results of the abiotic experiments indicated that the main mechanism of hydrocarbon removal in the composting reactors was biological. The application of combined composting and chemical oxidation demonstrated a remarkable (about 88 %) overall removal. The study showed that in-vessel composting combined with chemical oxidation is a viable choice for the remediation of the sludge.     

Nonconventional treatment of sewage sludge using cement kiln dust for reuse and catalytic conversion of hydrocarbons

Sewage sludge represents a critical environmental issue in Egypt. Large quantities of CKD are emitted from cement factories. It has negative impacts on humans, animals, plants, lands, water, and all remaining environment. It causes serious problems on the national level. Besides using CKD for sludge treatment and reuse as soil conditioner, a new scenario is to use it as catalytic convertor of some hydrocarbons. Results showed that CKD is used to separate the organic matters and suspended solids, reduce the organic micropollutants, scavenge heavy metals, and destruct viruses, parasites, and all pathogenic bacteria. The dehydrogenation of isopropanol to acetone and alcohol condensation of the produced acetone to give methyl isobutyl ketone over different catalyst samples was studied using a flow technique under normal pressure. Results revealed that treatment of raw sludge led to an increase in catalytic activity toward acetone formation by 50?% at 400?°C. A treatment system was proposed for continuous operation.     

Recent progress in bioethanol production from lignocellulosic materials: A review

Natural energy sources like petrol and diesel are going to be diminished in the coming future which will lead to increase in the prices and demands of fossil fuels. Therefore, it is important to find a sustainable alternate of fossil fuels. Bioethanol is one of the alternatives, which is produced from different feedstocks including sugar-based, starch-based and lignocellulose-based materials through fermentation. Since sugar-based (sugar cane and sugar beet) and starch-based (corn) materials are sources of staple food, therefore, research on lignocellulosic materials for bioethanol production is a subject of recent studies. Ethanol production from lignocellulosic materials involves different steps, such as pretreatment, hydrolysis, followed by fermentation process and finally ethanol purification. In this review, we have summarized the recent progresses in bioethanol production and processing from lignocellulosic materials.     

Cadmium stress in rice: toxic effects,tolerance mechanisms,and management: a critical review

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the main pollutants in paddy fields, and its accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) and subsequent transfer to food chain is a global environmental issue. This paper reviews the toxic effects, tolerance mechanisms, and management of Cd in a rice paddy. Cadmium toxicity decreases seed germination, growth, mineral nutrients, photosynthesis, and grain yield. It also causes oxidative stress and genotoxicity in rice. Plant response to Cd toxicity varies with cultivars, growth condition, and duration of Cd exposure. Under Cd stress, stimulation of antioxidant defense system, osmoregulation, ion homeostasis, and over production of signaling molecules are important tolerance mechanisms in rice. Several strategies have been proposed for the management of Cd-contaminated paddy soils. One such approach is the exogenous application of hormones, osmolytes, and signaling molecules. Moreover, Cd uptake and toxicity in rice can be decreased by proper application of essential nutrients such as nitrogen, zinc, iron, and selenium in Cd-contaminated soils. In addition, several inorganic (liming and silicon) and organic (compost and biochar) amendments have been applied in the soils to reduce Cd stress in rice. Selection of low Cd-accumulating rice cultivars, crop rotation, water management, and exogenous application of microbes could be a reasonable approach to alleviate Cd toxicity in rice. To draw a sound conclusion, long-term field trials are still required, including risks and benefit analysis for various management strategies.     

Effect of UV-A radiation as an environmental stress on the development,longevity, and reproduction of the oriental armyworm, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mythimna separata</Emphasis> (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The ultraviolet light (UV-A) range of 320–400 nm is widely used as light trap for insect pests. Present investigation was aimed to determine the effect of UV light-A radiation on development, adult longevity, reproduction, and development of F₁ generation of Mythimna separata. Our results revealed that the mortality of the second instar larvae was higher than the third and fourth instar larvae after UV-A radiation. As the time of UV-A irradiation for pupae prolonged, the rate of adult emergence reduced. Along with the extension of radiation time decreased the longevity of adult females and males. However, the radiation exposure of 1 and 4 h/day increased fecundity of female adults, and a significant difference was observed in a 1 h/day group. The oviposition rates of female adults in all the treatments were significantly higher than the control. In addition, UV-A radiation treatments resulted in declined cumulative survival of F₁ immature stages (eggs, larvae, and pupae). After exposure time of 4 and 7 h/day, the developmental periods of F₁ larvae increased significantly, but no significant effects on F₁ pupal period were recorded.     

Experimental study of cross-flow wet electrostatic precipitator

This paper reports development and testing of a novel cross-flow wet electrostatic precipitator (WESP), recently patented at Ohio University, that utilizes vertical columns of permeable material in the form of polypropylene ropes placed in a cross-flow configuration within a flue gas stream. The cross-flow design has large surface area, which provides scrubbing action; therefore, it has the potential for removing multiple pollutants, including particulates, gases, vapors, and mists. In this new method, the ropes are kept wet by the liquid (water) introduced from the top of the cells running downward on the ropes by capillary action, making the permeable materials act as the ground electrode for capturing particles from the flue gas. Preliminary testing has shown an efficiency of well above 80% using two cells and three sets of discharge electrodes. Since the material of construction is primarily corrosion-resistant polymeric material, both weight and cost reductions are expected from this new design.

Implications: The newly invented cross-flow WESP exhibit particulate collection efficiency of well above 80% when introduced in particulate-laden exhaust flow. This value was obtained using a two cells and three discharge electrodes configuration. The electric field strength has a substantial effect on the collection efficiency. Also, the pressure drop test results indicate that there is a potential to increase the collection area, which, in turn, will increase the collection efficiency further.