Adsorption of chloridazon from aqueous solution on modified kerolite-rich materials

The adsorption of chloridazon (5-amine-4-chloro-2-phenylpyridazin-3(2H)-one) on kerolite samples heated at 110°C (K-110), 200°C (K-200), 400°C (K-400), 600°C (K-600) and acid-treated with H₂SO₄ solutions of two different concentrations (0.25 and 0.5 M) (K-0.25 and K-0.5, respectively) from pure water at 25°C has been studied by using batch and column experiments. The adsorption experimental data points were fitted to the Freundlich equation in order to calculate the adsorption capacities (K_f) of the samples; K_f values ranged from 184.7 mg kg^?1 (K-0.5) up to 2253 mg kg^?1 (K-600). This indicated that the heat treatment given to the kerolite greatly increases its adsorption capacity for the herbicide whereas the acid treatment produces a clear decrease in the amount of chloridazon adsorbed. The removal efficiency (R) was also calculated; R values ranging from 52.8% (K-0.5) up to 88.3% (K-600). Thus, the results showed that the 600°C heat-treated kerolite was more effective in relation to adsorption of chloridazon and it might be reasonably used in removing this herbicide from water.     

Adsorption of atrazine from aqueous solution on heat treated kerolites

The adsorption of 6-chloro-N(2)-ethyl-N(4)-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine (atrazine) on heat treated kerolite samples at 110 degrees C (K-110), 200 degrees C (K-200), 400 degrees C (K-400) and 600 degrees C (K-600) from aqueous solution at 25 degrees C has been studied. The evolution of surface properties of kerolite samples such as specific surface area and porosity after heat treatment was analysed. The clays were characterised by using usual techniques: FTIR spectroscopy, XRD diffraction, TG and DTG analysis, surface analysis and Hg porosimetry. The adsorption experimental data points have been fitted to the Freundlich equation in order to calculate the adsorption capacities (K(f)) of the samples; K(f) values range from 468 mgkg(-1) for the K-110 sample up to 2291 mgkg(-1) for the K-600 sample. The values obtained for the removal efficiency (R), (percentage of pesticide removed), ranged from 48% for K-110 up to 78% for K-600. The adsorption experiments showed that the stronger heat treatment, the most effective adsorption of atrazine, so, as this type of clay is relatively plentiful, these activated samples might be used in order to remove this pesticide from water.     

Effects of ionic strength and temperature on adsorption of atrazine by a heat treated kerolite

The adsorption of 6-chloro-N2-ethyl-N4-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine (atrazine) on a heat treated kerolite sample at 600 degrees C (K-600) from pure water solution at 10 degrees C, 25 degrees C and 40 degrees C has been studied. The influence of the presence of 0.1 M KCl in the medium was also investigated for a better understanding of variables affecting the adsorption of this herbicide. The experimental adsorption data points were fitted to the Langmuir equation in order to calculate the adsorption capacities (Xm) of the samples; Xm values range from 2.3x10(3) mg kg-1 (pure water solution at 40 degrees C) up to 15.2x10(3) mg kg-1 (0.1 M KCl solution at 10 degrees C). The adsorption data were also fitted to the Freundlich equation in order to clarify the influence of the presence of 0.1 M KCl on atrazine adsorption. The parameter K10 obtained from this equation (adsorption capacity at an equilibrium solution concentration of atrazine equal to 10 mg l-1) shows clearly that the presence of 0.1 M KCl in the medium tends to increase the adsorption of atrazine in the range of temperature studied. The adsorption experiment also showed that the lower temperature, the more effective the adsorption of atrazine from both, pure water and 0.1 M KCl solutions. The values of the removal efficiency (R) obtained ranged from 39% at 40 degrees C (pure water solution) up to 93% at 10 degrees C (0.1 M KCl solution).     

Acute oral toxicity as LD50 (mg/kg) of propargyl alcohol to male and female rats

Dosages of propargyl alcohol ranging from 0 to 400 mg/kg in 0.5 ml aqueous solutions were administered by gavage to young adult male and female rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain weighing from 180 to 200 g. The treated animals were held 48 hrs at 24 degrees C with food and water ad libitum, after which the dead rats were counted. The oral LD50 was calculated by the probit method (Finney, 1971) as 110 (100-120) mg/kg for male rats and 55 (50-60) mg/kg for female rats.     

Caesium selectivity and fixation by vermiculite in the presence of various competing cations

Caesium selectivity coefficients (k(G)) that were determined with respect to Na-, Mg-, Ca-, Sr- and Ba-ions, for Kent and Libby vermiculites,ranged from 4.8 to 11 (litres/mol) [Formula: see text], much higher than those with respect to K- and NH(4)-ions (0.01 to 0.06), indicating the high affinity of vermiculite for the weakly hydrated cations. Higher K(G) values were also found for low and extremely low Cs concentrations. Vermiculite samples were very effective in removing (137)Cs from solutions containing traces of (137)Cs (4 ng litre(-1)) and extremely higher quantities of K-, NH(4)-, Na-, Mg- and Ca-ions (500 mg litre(-1)). 0.5N chloride solutions of H, NH(4), K, Na, Mg and Ca were unable to remove Cs from Cs-saturated v vermiculite samples which had undergone heating at 110 degrees C. Significant quantities (50-65%) of fixed Cs were removed from these samples only after treatment with strong acids. The high preference and fixing ability of vermiculite for Cs suggests the use of this mineral as a radioactive Cs decontaminating agent.     

Effect of wheat and rice straw biochars on pyrazosulfuron-ethyl sorption and persistence in a sandy loam soil

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of wheat and rice biochars on pyrazosulfuron-ethyl sorption in a sandy loam soil. Pyrazosulfuron-ethyl was poorly sorbed in the soil (3.5–8.6%) but biochar amendment increased the herbicide adsorption, and the effect varied with the nature of the feedstock and pyrolysis temperature. Biochars prepared at 600°C were more effective in adsorbing pyrazosulfuron-ethyl than biochars prepared at 400°C. Rice biochars were better than wheat biochars, and higher herbicide adsorption was attributed to the biochar surface area/porosity. The Freundlich constant 1/n suggested nonlinear isotherms, and nonlinearlity increased with increase in the level of biochar amendment. Desorption results suggested sorption of pyrazosulfuron-ethyl was partially irreversible, and the irreversibility increased with increase in the level of biochar. Both sorption and desorption of pyrazosulfuron-ethyl correlated well with the content of biochars. The free energy change (ΔG) indicated that the pyrazosulfuron-ethyl sorption process was exothermic, spontaneous and physical in nature. Persistence studies indicated that biochar (0.5%) amendment did not have significant effect on herbicide degradation, and its half-life values in the control, 0.5% WBC600- and RBC600-amended rice planted soils were 7, 8.6, and 10.4 days, respectively.     

Modifying sorbents in controlled release formulations to prevent herbicides pollution

The herbicides chloridazon and metribuzin, identified as groundwater pollutants, were incorporated in alginate-based granules to obtain controlled release properties. In this research the effect of incorporation of sorbents such as bentonite, anthracite and activated carbon in alginate basic formulation were not only studied on encapsulation efficiency but also on the release rate of herbicides which was studied using water release kinetic tests. In addition, sorption studies of herbicides with bentonite, anthracite and activated carbon were made. The kinetic experiments of chloridazon and metribuzin release in water have shown that the release rate is higher in metribuzin systems than in those prepared with chloridazon, which has lower water solubility. Besides, it can be deduced that the use of sorbents reduces the release rate of the chloridazon and metribuzin in comparison to the technical product and to the alginate formulation without sorbents. The highest decrease in release rate corresponds to the formulations prepared with activated carbon as a sorbent. The water uptake, permeability, and time taken for 50% of the active ingredient to be released into water, T(50), were calculated to compare the formulations. On the basis of a parameter of an empirical equation used to fit the herbicide release data, the release of chloridazon and metribuzin from the various formulations into water is controlled by a diffusion mechanism. Sorption capacity of the sorbents for chloridazon and metribuzin, ranging from 0.53mgkg(-1) for the metribuzin sorption on bentonite to 2.03x10(5)mgkg(-1) for the sorption of chloridazon on the activated carbon, was the most important factor modulating the herbicide release.     

Atrazine sorption and fate in a Ultisol from humid tropical Brazil

This study combined laboratory based microcosm systems as well as field experiments to evaluate the mobility of atrazine on a Ultisol under humid tropical conditions in Brazil. Results from sorption experiments fit to the Freundlich isotherm model [K(f) 0.99 mg kg(-1)/(mg l(-1))(1/n)], and indicate a low sorption capacity for atrazine in this soil and consequently large potential for movement by leaching and runoff. Microcosm systems using (14)C-atrazine to trace the fate of the applied herbicide, showed that 0.33% of the atrazine was volatilized, 0.25% mineralized and 6.89% was recorded in the leachate. After 60 d in the microcosms, 75% of the (14)C remained in the upper 5 cm soil layer indicating atrazine or its metabolites remained close to the soil surface. In field experiments, after 60 d, only 5% of the atrazine applied was recovered in the upper soil layers. In the field experiments atrazine was detected at a depth of 50 cm indicating leaching. Simulating tropical rain in field experiments resulted in 2.1% loss of atrazine in runoff of which 0.5% was adsorbed onto transported soil particles and 1.6% was in solution. Atrazine runoff was greatest two days after herbicide application and decreased 10 fold after 15 d. The use of atrazine on Ultisols, in the humid tropics, constitutes a threat to water quality, causing surface water and ground water pollution.     

Effectiveness and mechanisms of hydrogen sulfide adsorption by camphor-derived biochar

The characteristics and mechanisms of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) adsorption on a biochar through pyrolysis at various temperatures (100 to 500 degrees C) were investigated. The biochar used in the current study was derived from the camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora). The samples were ground and sieved to produceparticle sizes of 0.4 mm to 1.25 mm, 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm, and <0.3 mm. The H2S breakthrough capacity was measured using a laboratory-designed test. The surface properties of the biochar were characterized using pH and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The results obtained demonstrate that all camphor-derived biochars were effective in H2S sorption. Certain threshold ranges ofthepyrolysis temperature and surfacepH were observed, which, when exceeded, have dramatic effects on the H2S adsorption capacity. The sorption capacity ranged from 1.2 mg/g to 121.4 mg/g. The biochar with 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm particle size possesses a maximum sorption capacity at 400 degrees C. The pH and FTIR analysis results showed that carboxylic and hydroxide radical groups were responsible for H2S sorption. These observations will be helpful in designing biochar as engineered sorbents for the removal of H2S.     

Modification of carbon-coated TiO2 by iron to increase adsorptivity and photoactivity for phenol

Carbon-coated TiO(2) modified by iron, were prepared from TiO(2) of anatase structure and PET modified by FeC(2)O(4). Catalysts were prepared by mixing powders of TiO(2) and modified PET and heating at different temperatures, from 400 to 800 degrees C under flow of Ar gas. High adsorption of phenol was observed on the catalyst heated at 400 degrees C, confirmed by FT-IR analysis. On this catalyst, fast rate of phenol decomposition was achieved by addition of small amount of H(2)O(2) to the reaction mixture. Phenol decomposition proceeded mainly through the direct oxidation of phenol species adsorbed on the catalyst surface due to the photo-Fenton reaction. Iron-modified carbon-coated TiO(2) catalysts heated at 500-800 degrees C showed almost no phenol adsorption or oxidation.     

Phytotoxicity and antioxidative enzymes of green microalga (Desmodesmus subspicatus) and duckweed (Lemna minor) exposed to herbicides MCPA, chloridazon and their mixtures

In this study, we evaluate the toxicity of MCPA (auxin-like growth inhibitor), chloridazon (CHD) (PSII-inhibitor) and their mixtures to floating plants and planktonic algae. Toxicity of MCPA (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid) and CHD (5-amino-4-chloro-2-phenyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone) was first assessed in two growth inhibition tests with Lemna minor (ISO/DIS 20079) and Desmodesmus subspicatus (ISO 8692). Next, herbicide mixtures at concentrations corresponding to the EC values were used to assess their interactive effects, and the biomarkers were: for duckweed fresh weight, frond area, chlorophyll content and number of fronds, and for algae cell count and cell volume. The 3d EC?? and EC?? values using cell counts of D. subspicatus were 142.7 and 529.1 mg/L for MCPA and 1.7 and 5.1 mg/L for CHD. The 7d EC?? and EC?? values using frond number of L. minor amounted to 0.8 and 5.4 mg/L for MCPA and 0.7 and 10.4 mg/L for CHD. Higher sensitivity of reproductive (number of cells/fronds) than growth processes (cell volume/frond area) to herbicides applied individually and in mixtures was especially pronounced in the responses of Desmodesmus. Herbicide interactions were assessed by the two-way ANOVA and Abbott's formula. Generally, an antagonistic interaction with Lemna was revealed by MCPA and chloridazon, whereas additive effect of both herbicides was observed for Desmodesmus. A significant stimulation of SOD and APX activity by binary mixtures was noted in algal cells mainly after 24 and 48 hours of exposure. The extremely high stimulation of the activity of both enzymes was induced by the combination EC??CHD + EC??MCPA (48 h). Presumably due to oxidative stress, the treatment with CHD at concentration EC?? after 72 h was lethal for algae grown in aerated cultures, in contrast to standardized test conditions. Taking into account the consequences of risk assessment for herbicide mixtures we can state that a relatively low toxicity, as well as the lack of significant synergy between MCPA and CHD to non-target plants appears to be the most important result.     

Color and COD removal from wastewater containing Reactive Black 5 using Fenton's oxidation process

In this study, Reactive Black 5 (RB5) was removed from synthetic wastewater using Fenton's oxidation (FO) process. Experiments were conducted on the samples containing 100 and 200 mg l(-1) of RB5 to remove the dye toxicity. Seventy-five milligram per litre of RB5 caused 25% toxicity on 24-h born daphnids whereas 100 mg l(-1) of RB5 displayed 100% toxicity on Daphnia magna. The study was performed in a systematic approach searching optimum values of FeSO(4) and H(2)O(2) concentrations, pH and temperature. Optimum pH and temperature for 100 mg l(-1) of RB5 were observed as 3.0 and 40 degrees C, respectively, using 100 mg l(-1) of FeSO(4) and 400 mg l(-1) of H(2)O(2) resulted in 71% chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 99% color removal. For 200 mg l(-1) of RB5, 84% COD removal was obtained using 225 mg l(-1) of FeSO(4) and 1000 mg l(-1) of H(2)O(2) yielding 0.05 molar ratio at pH 3.0 and 40 degrees C. Color removal was also more than 99%. The optimum conditions determined in accordance with the literature data. The H(2)O(2) requirement seems to be related to initial COD of the sample. FeSO(4)/H(2)O(2) ratios found were not changed for both concentrations. The temperature affected the COD removal significantly at high degrees. Toxicity was completely removed for each concentration of RB5 at optimum removal conditions.     

Anaerobic digestion of thermo-oxidized excess municipal sludge.

The effect of a thermo-oxidative co-treatment placed between the two reactors of two-stage anaerobic digestion of excess municipal sludge was studied. The oxidant used was hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and moderate temperatures below the boiling point of water were considered. The first experiment was to elucidate the effect of two different temperatures (65 and 90 degrees C) of oxidation using a constant oxidant dose of 1.0 g H2O2/g influent volatile suspended solids (VSSinfluent). The use of thermo-oxidative co-treatment increased overall solids destruction by 24.9 and 33.5%, respectively, when operating at 65 and 90 degrees C, respectively. Because of this significant effect of temperature on the performance of the process, a second experiment was conducted using the higher temperature of 90 degrees C while decreasing the hydrogen peroxide dosage to 0.5, 0.25, and 0.1 g H2O2/g VSSinfluent. An increase in solids destruction of 13.9, 18.9, and 25.6% was observed when the thermo-oxidative co-treatment was used using oxidant dosages of 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 g H2O2/g VSSinfluent, respectively.     

Immobilization of polyphenol oxidase onto mesoporous activated carbons -- isotherm and kinetic studies

Investigations were carried out in batch modes for studying the immobilization behavior of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) on two different mesoporous activated carbon matrices, MAC400 and MAC200. The PPO was immobilized onto MAC400 and MAC200 at various enzyme activities 5 x 10(4), 10 x 10(4), 20 x 10(4), 30 x 10(4)Ul(-1), at pH 5-8, and at temperature ranging from 10 to 40 degrees C. The intensity of immobilization of PPO increased with increase in temperature and initial activities, while it decreased with increase in pH. Immobilization onto MAC400 followed the Langmuir model while Langmuir and Freundlich models could fit MAC200 data. Non-linear pseudo first order, pseudo second order and intraparticle diffusion models were evaluated to understand the mechanism of immobilization. The free and immobilized enzyme kinetic parameters (K(m) and V(max)) were determined by Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics. The K(m) values for free enzyme, PPO immobilized in MAC400 and in MAC200 were 0.49, 0.41 and 0.65 mM, respectively. The immobilization of PPO in carbon matrices was confirmed using FT-IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy.     

A comparative study on the biosorption characteristics of some yeasts for Remazol Blue reactive dye

Biosorption capacities and rates of different kinds of dried yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Kluyveromyces marxianus, Candida sp., C. tropicalis, C. lipolytica, C. utilis, C. quilliermendii and C. membranaefaciens) for Remazol Blue reactive dye from aqueous solutions were compared under laboratory conditions as a function of initial pH and initial dye concentration. Optimum initial biosorption pH was determined as 2 for all the yeasts. All the yeast species showed comparable and very high dye sorption at 100 mg/l initial dye concentration. The equilibrium sorption capacity of the biomass increased with increasing initial dye concentration up to 400 mg/l for Candida sp. C. lipolytica and C. tropicalis; up to 300 mg/l for C. quilliermendii and C. utilis and up to 200 mg/l for S. cerevisiae, S. pombe, K. marxianus and C. membranaefaciens while the adsorption yield of dye showed the opposite trend for all the yeasts. Among the nine yeast species, C. lipolytica exhibited the highest dye uptake capacity (Q(0) = 250 mg/g). Both the Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models were found suitable for describing the biosorption of the dye by all the Candida yeasts (except C. membranaefaciens). The results indicated that the dye uptake process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics for each dye-yeast system.     

Dechlorination and destruction of PCDDs/PCDFs in fly ashes from municipal solid waste incinerators by low temperature thermal treatment

Dechlorination and destruction characteristics of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDDs/PCDFs) in fly ashes from commercial-scale municipal solid waste incinerators by low temperature thermal treatment using a laboratory-scale heating system were investigated. Experiments were carried out in reducing atmosphere at temperatures of 300 degrees C, 450 degrees C and 600 degrees C respectively, for the treatment time of 1h and 3h. Concentrations of PCDDs/PCDFs in raw fly ashes ranged from 35.5 to 107.3 microg kg(-1) (1.5-3.4 microg TEQ kg(-1)) and treated fly ashes ranged from 0.34 to 45.3 microg kg(-1) (0.012-1.63 microg TEQ kg(-1)). Concentrations of PCDDs/PCDFs in fly ashes treated at the different temperatures and times were observed to decrease with increase of treatment temperature and time by dechlorination or destruction. The distribution of octa- and hepta-chlorinated congeners were decreased and tetra-, penta- and hexa-chlorinated congeners were increased at 300 degrees C and 450 degrees C, but the distribution of octa- and hepta-chlorinated congeners were increased and tetra-, penta- and hexa-chlorinated congeners were again decreased at 600 degrees C. Total destruction efficiencies of PCDDs/PCDFs in fly ashes showed above 95% at the treatment temperature of 450 degrees C for 3h. However, removal efficiency of each congener in fly ashes varied, especially, 2,3,7,8-TeCDD and 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD in fly ash A increased. And the dechlorination and destruction characteristics of PCDDs/PCDFs in fly ash A and B was different due to difference in contents of Ca-compounds and metal oxides such as CuO and PbO in fly ashes.     

The three-dimensional structural characterization of hexachlorocyclopentenyl-dibromocyclooctane (HCDBCO)

The (1)H NMR spectrum and the crystal structure of HCDBCO [(1R,2R,5R,6R,9S,10S)-5,6-dibromo-1,10,11,12,13,13-hexachlorotricyclo[8,2,1,0(2,9)]-tridec-11-ene)] are reported. The measured dihedral angles from the X-ray structure correlate very well with those calculated from the proton-proton coupling constants indicating that the conformations in solution and in the solid state are probably very similar. Attempts at calculating the 3D model structure of HCDBCO only produced a very poor match between the measured dihedral angles between vicinal protons and the observed proton-proton coupling constants from the (1)H NMR spectrum. GC/MS analysis with an injector temperature of 250 degrees C produced minor amounts of debrominated HCDBCO. Reducing the temperature to 200 degrees C eliminated this problem.     

NaNO(2)/FeCl(3) catalyzed wet oxidation of the azo dye Acid Orange 7

A combination of ferric chloride and sodium nitrite significantly improved the wet oxidation of the azo dye Acid Orange 7 (AO7) in acid aqueous media (pH 2.6) under moderate conditions (T=150 degrees C; oxygen pressure=0.5 MPa). To evaluate the catalytic system, wet oxidation of AO7 was carried out at temperatures between 90 and 150 degrees C and oxygen pressures ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 MPa. The effect of initial solution pH from 2.6 to 11.4 and the amount of catalyst on the degradation of AO7 were also investigated. AO7 initial concentration was kept 200 mg L(-1). The degradation process was monitored by UV-visible spectroscopy, HPLC, IC (ion chromatography), GC-MS and TOC analysis. At 150 degrees C and 0.5 MPa oxygen pressure, 56% TOC was removed after 4h of treatment, while no obvious TOC removal were achieved without catalyst at the same experimental condition. The main degradation products were some small organic acids: formic acid, acetic acid, pyruvic acid, oxalic acid, succinic acid (identified and quantified by IC) and phthalic acid (identified by GC-MS).     

Phytotoxicity and antioxidative enzymes of green microalga (Desmodesmus subspicatus) and duckweed (Lemna minor) exposed to herbicides MCPA,chloridazon and their mixtures

In this study, we evaluate the toxicity of MCPA (auxin-like growth inhibitor), chloridazon (CHD) (PSII-inhibitor) and their mixtures to floating plants and planktonic algae. Toxicity of MCPA (4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid) and CHD (5-amino-4-chloro-2-phenyl-3(2H)-pyridazinone) was first assessed in two growth inhibition tests with Lemna minor (ISO/DIS 20079) and Desmodesmus subspicatus (ISO 8692). Next, herbicide mixtures at concentrations corresponding to the EC values were used to assess their interactive effects, and the biomarkers were: for duckweed fresh weight, frond area, chlorophyll content and number of fronds, and for algae cell count and cell volume. The 3d EC₁₀ and EC₅₀ values using cell counts of D. subspicatus were 142.7 and 529.1 mg/L for MCPA and 1.7 and 5.1 mg/L for CHD. The 7d EC₁₀ and EC₅₀ values using frond number of L. minor amounted to 0.8 and 5.4 mg/L for MCPA and 0.7 and 10.4 mg/L for CHD. Higher sensitivity of reproductive (number of cells/fronds) than growth processes (cell volume/frond area) to herbicides applied individually and in mixtures was especially pronounced in the responses of Desmodesmus. Herbicide interactions were assessed by the two-way ANOVA and Abbott's formula. Generally, an antagonistic interaction with Lemna was revealed by MCPA and chloridazon, whereas additive effect of both herbicides was observed for Desmodesmus. A significant stimulation of SOD and APX activity by binary mixtures was noted in algal cells mainly after 24 and 48 hours of exposure. The extremely high stimulation of the activity of both enzymes was induced by the combination EC₁₀CHD + EC₅₀MCPA (48 h). Presumably due to oxidative stress, the treatment with CHD at concentration EC₅₀ after 72h was lethal for algae grown in aerated cultures, in contrast to standardized test conditions. Taking into account the consequences of risk assessment for herbicide mixtures we can state that a relatively low toxicity, as well as the lack of significant synergy between MCPA and CHD to non-target plants appears to be the most important result.