Chemistry,abundance, detection and treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in water: a review

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) encompass a wide range of compounds containing carbon–fluorine bonds. Due the strength of this bond and the high electronegativity of fluorine atoms, PFAS display stability, wettability and other characteristics that are unique for industrial applications and products. However, PFAS induce adverse effects on the environment and human health. Here we review the chemistry, synthesis, properties, analysis, occurrence in water, filtration, removal and oxydation of PFAS.  We highlight emerging hybrid treatments to remove PFAS from water.

     

Biological silicon nanoparticles improve Phaseolus vulgaris L. yield and minimize its contaminant contents on a heavy metals-contaminated saline soil

The synthesis of biological silicon nano-particles (Bio-Si-NPs) is an eco-friendly and low-cost method. There is no study focusing on the effect of Bio-Si-NPs on the plants grown on saline soil contaminated with heavy metals. In this study, an attempt was made to synthesis Bio-Si-NPs using potassium silica florid substrate, and the identified Aspergillus tubingensis AM11 isolate that separated from distribution systems of the potable water. A two-year field trial was conducted to compare the protective effects of Bio-Si-NPs (2.5 and 5.0 mmol/L) and potassium silicate (10 mmol/L) as a foliar spray on the antioxidant defense system, physio-biochemical components, and the contaminants contents of Phaseolus vulgaris L. grown on saline soil contaminated with heavy metals. Our findings showed that all treatments of Bio-Si-NPs and potassium silicate significantly improved plant growth and production, chlorophylls, carotenoids, transpiration rate, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, membrane stability index, relative water content, free proline, total soluble sugars, N, P, K, Ca²⁺, K⁺/Na⁺, and the activities of peroxidase, catalase, ascorbic peroxidase and superoxide oxide dismutase. Application of Bio-Si-NPs and potassium silicate significantly decreased electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, H₂O₂, O₂^??, Na⁺, Pb, Cd, and Ni in leaves and pods of Phaseolus vulgaris L. compared to control. Bio-Si-NPs were more effective compared to potassium silicate. Application of Bio-Si-NPs at the rate of 5 mmol/L was the recommended treatment to enhance the performance and reduce heavy metals content on plants grown on contaminated saline soils.     

Biological elimination of a high concentration of hydrogen sulfide from landfill biogas

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is one of the main contaminants found in biogas, which is one of the end products of the anaerobic biodegradation of proteins...     

Ameliorative effect of flavocoxid on cyclophosphamide-induced cardio and neurotoxicity via targeting the GM-CSF/NF-κB signaling pathway

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Cyclophosphamide (Cyclo) is a chemotherapeutic agent used as an immunosuppressant and as a treatment for many cancerous diseases. Many previous pieces...     

Adsorptive removal of ibuprofen to binary and amine-functionalized UiO-66 in the aquatic environment: synergistic/antagonistic evaluation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The removal of ibuprofen (IBP) from the aqueous solution by metal–organic frameworks such as UiO-66, UiO-66-NH2, and a binary MOF...     

Synthesis of high-quality graphene sheets via decomposition of non-condensable gases from pyrolysis of polypropylene waste using unsupported Fe,Co, and Fe–Co catalysts

Producing high-quality graphene sheets from plastic waste is regarded as a significant economic and environmental challenge. In the present study, unsupported Fe, Co, and Fe–Co oxide catalysts were prepared by the combustion method and examined for the production of graphene via a dual-stage process using polypropylene (PP) waste as a source of carbon. The prepared catalysts and the as-produced graphene sheets were fully characterized by several techniques, including XRD, H₂-TPR, FT-IR, FESEM, TEM, and Raman spectroscopy. XRD, TPR, and FT-IR analyses revealed the formation of high purity and crystallinity of Fe₂O₃ and Co₃O₄ nanoparticles as well as cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) species after calcining Fe, Co, and Fe–Co catalysts, respectively. The Fe–Co catalyst was completely changed into Fe–Co alloy after pre-reduction at 800 °C for 1 h. TEM and XRD results revealed the formation of multi-layered graphene sheets on the surface of all catalysts. Raman spectra of the as-deposited carbon showed the appearance of D, G, and 2D bands at 1350, 1580, and 2700 cm⁻¹, respectively, confirming the formation of graphene sheets. Fe, Co, and Fe–Co catalysts produced quasi-identical graphene yields of 2.8, 3.04, and 2.17 g_C/g_cat, respectively. The graphene yield in terms of mass PP was found to be 9.3, 10.1, and 7.2 g_C/100g_PP with the same order of catalysts. Monometallic Fe and Co catalysts produced a mix of small and large-area graphene nanosheets, whereas the bimetallic Fe–Co catalyst yielded exclusively large-area graphene sheets with remarkable quality. The higher stability of Fe–Co alloy and its carbide phase during the growth reaction compared to the Fe and Co catalysts was the primary reason for the generation of extra-large graphene sheets with relatively low yield. In contrast, the segregation of some metallic Fe or Co particles through the growth time was responsible for the growth small-area graphene sheets.

     

Exposure to microplastics leads to a defective ovarian function and change in cytoskeleton protein expression in rat

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants; through their physicochemical properties, they can have potentially negative effects on...     

Improving the Antibacterial Activity of Curcumin Loaded Nanoparticles in Wastewater Treatment by Enhancing Permeability and Sustained Release

Journal of Polymers and the Environment - In this research, the antibacterial effect of curcumin entrapped in polymeric nanoparticles (mPEG-PCL/curcumin) on resistant bacteria were investigated....