Vacuum pyrolysis of polymeric wastes containing hazardous cyano groups

Vacuum pyrolysis of polymeric wastes containing hazardous cyano groups was studied using low temperature pyrolysis mass spectrometry. Specifically, the study analyzed the presence of toxic compounds among the pyrolysis products. The polymers were pyrolyzed directly in the solid probe of a quadruple mass spectrometer within an ion source at a pressure of 10^?6 Torr and then sorted by quadrupole mass analyzer. Polyethyl cyanoacrylate degrades by depolymerization, mostly into the ethyl cyanoacrylate monomer units. The degradation of polyurethane produces nonpolymeric urethane, isocyanates, amines and ethers. Polyacrylonitrile degrades via a depolymerization pathway into oligonitriles, acrylonitrile, ammonia and hydrogen cyanide.     

Sequential fractionation of phosphorus in sediments of El-Fayum lakes—Egypt

The amounts and forms of potentially mobile phosphorus (P) in surface sediments of Qarun and Wadi El-Rayan lakes were evaluated during winter and summer using a sequential chemical extraction. Five sedimentary P fractions were separately quantified: loosely sorbed P (NH₄Cl-P), iron-associated P (BD-P), calcium- bound P (HCl-P), metal oxide bound P (NaOH-P), and residual P (organic and refractory P). The results indicated that the fractional composition of the examined lakes was different while the total P concentrations were approached. The inorganic P in the surface sediment mainly consisted of Ca-P followed by Fe-P in Qarun Lake, while Al-P took the second order in Wadi El-Rayan lakes. The ranks order of the different P extracts were HCl-P > residual-P ≈ NaOH-P > NH₄Cl-P > BD-P and residual-P > NH₄Cl-P > HCl-P > NaOH-P > BD-P for Qarun and Wadi El-Rayan lakes, respectively.     

Effect of aging biosolids with soils of contrasting pH on subsequent concentrations of Cu and Zn in pore water and on their plant uptake

Purpose  

The study examines if a short period of reaction after addition of biosolids to soils can reduce the solubility and potential phytotoxicity of biosolid-borne Zn and Cu.     

Cadmium Concentration in Vegetables Grown on Urban Soils Irrigated with Untreated Municipal Sewage

Cadmium (Cd) is considered as a potential toxin that is principally dispersed in natural and agricultural environments through anthropogenic sources. Untreated municipal sewage, often a potential source of Cd, is generally used to irrigate urban agricultural soils in many developing countries. A study was carried out to determine Cd concentration in untreated municipal sewage and sewage-irrigated soils and vegetables. The metal ion concentration in municipal sewage was found 3-fold (0.03mgL^–1) its permissible concentration in irrigation water (0.01mgL^–1). Ammonium bicarbonate–diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid NH₄HCO₃–DTPA) extractable Cd concentration in top 0.15m soil ranged between 0.25 and 0.34mgkg^–1. Soil Cd concentration was significantly correlated with soil clay content, pH, electrical conductivity, and cation exchange capacity. Cadmium availability index (CDI) decreased with an increase in soil depth. The metal ion was found in leaf (0.17–0.24mgkg^–1 fresh weight) and fruit (0.07–0.18mgkg^–1 fresh weight) portions of all the sampled vegetables: bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.), eggplant (Solanum melongena L.), fenugreek (Trigonella foenumgraecum L.), okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench], onion (Allium cepa L.), pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.), and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.). Leafy tissue accumulated Cd about twice that of the fruit portion. Our results suggest that prolonged ingestion of sewage-irrigated leafy vegetables can develop such Cd levels in human body that may cause a number of illnesses.     

A review on efficient electromagnetic interference shielding materials by recycling waste—a trio of land to lab to land concept

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The materials used in electrical and electronic applications have great importance and broader applications, but they have severe electromagnetic...     

Development of zerovalent iron and titania (Fe0/TiO2) composite for oxidative degradation of dichlorophene in aqueous solution: synergistic role of peroxymonosulfate (HSO5−)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Binary composite of zerovalent iron and titanium dioxide (Fe0/TiO2) was synthesized for the catalytic removal of dichlorophene (DCP) in the presence...     

Polylactic acid synthesis,biodegradability, conversion to microplastics and toxicity: a review

Global pollution by plastics derived from petroleum has fostered the development of carbon–neutral, biodegradable bioplastics synthesized from renewable resources such as modern biomass, yet knowledge on the impact of bioplastics on ecosystems is limited. Here we review the polylactic acid plastic with focus on synthesis, biodegradability tuning, environmental conversion to microplastics, and impact on microbes, algae, phytoplankton, zooplankton, annelids, mollusk and fish. Polylactic acid is a low weight semi-crystalline bioplastic used in agriculture, medicine, packaging and textile. Polylactic acid is one of the most widely used biopolymers, accounting for 33% of all bioplastics produced in 2021. Although biodegradable in vivo, polylactic acid is not completely degradable under natural environmental conditions, notably under aquatic conditions. Polylactic acid disintegrates into microplastics faster than petroleum-based plastics and may pose severe threats to the exposed biota.

     

Application of generalized link functions in developing accident prediction models

The Bayesian Poisson–Gamma hierarchy, leading to the negative binomial distribution, has been the standard practice in developing accident prediction models. To linearize the relationship connecting the mean of the negative binomial distribution to relevant covariates, a canonical log link has traditionally been used. Typically, little information is available regarding the choice of a particular link. To avoid link misspecification, it is proposed to nest the canonical log link model within a generalized link family and subsequently use the full Bayes method for parameter estimation, performance evaluation and inference. The proposed approach was applied to a sample of accident and traffic volume data corresponding to 99 intersections in the city of Edmonton, Alberta. The results showed that both the generalized link model and the traditional canonical link model provided adequate fit to the data. However, the Bayes factor provided a clear statistical support for the use of the generalized link approach. A procedure for link validation is also described. It allows the users (e.g., road authorities) to consider the changes in predicted accidents that will result if a generalized link is used instead of a canonical link. If a certain maximal change is tolerated, the canonical link can be used to analyze the data; otherwise the generalized link is worth the extra efforts and should be adopted. When compared with the traditional approach, the generalized link model was found to predict a lower number of accidents whenever there is a heavy traffic at the major approach, especially if combined with light flow on the minor approach. The paper concludes by identifying out areas for further research.     

Infectious Pepper Mild Mottle Virus and Human Adenoviruses as Viral Indices in Sewage and Water Samples

Food and Environmental Virology - The objective of this study was to compare human adenoviruses (HAdVs) genome and infectivity, polyomaviruses (JC and BK) genome (JCPyVs) and (BKPyVs), Pepper Mild...     

Effect of infection control training course on knowledge and practices of medical interns in a large academic hospital in Egypt: an intervention study

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Health care-associated infections are reported among the top causes of hospital deaths worldwide. Their prevention is a first priority for patient...