Iron-based flow batteries to store renewable energies

The development of cost-effective and eco-friendly alternatives of energy storage systems is needed to solve the actual energy crisis. Although technologies such as flywheels, supercapacitors, pumped hydropower and compressed air are efficient, they have shortcomings because they require long planning horizons to be cost-effective. Renewable energy storage systems such as redox flow batteries are actually of high interest for grid-level energy storage, in particular iron-based flow batteries. Here we review all-iron redox flow battery alternatives for storing renewable energies. The role of components such as electrolyte, electrode and membranes in the overall functioning of all-iron redox flow batteries is discussed. The effect of iron–ligand chemistry on the performance of battery is highlighted. Additionally, a brief contextual background and fundamentals of redox flow batteries are provided. The design aspects, progress in research, mathematical modeling, cost estimations and future prospects of using all-iron energy systems are discussed in the context of future grid-level energy storage.     

Plant growth regulators and EDTA improve phytoremediation potential and antioxidant response of Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants in a Cd-spiked soil

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Soil pollution due to potentially toxic elements is a worldwide challenge for health and food security. Chelate-assisted phytoextraction along with...     

Bibliometric analysis of the research landscape on rice husks gasification (1995–2019)

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The processing of rice (Oryza sativa L.) generates large quantities of lignocellulosic wastes termed rice husks (RH). Numerous researchers have...     

Pollutant removal from municipal wastewater employing baffled subsurface flow and integrated surface flow-floating treatment wetlands

This article reports pollutant removal performances of baffled subsurface flow, and integrated surface flow-floating treatment wetland units, when arranged in series for the treatment of municipal wastewater in Bangladesh. The wetland units （of the hybrid system） included organic, inorganic media, and were planted with nineteen types of macrophytes. The wetland train was operated under hydraulic loading fluctuation and seasonal variation. The performance analyses （across the wetland units） illustrated simultaneous denitrification and organics removal rates in the first stage vertical flow wetland, due to organic carbon leaching from the employed organic media. Higher mean organics removal rates （656.0 g COD]（m2.day）） did not completely inhibit nitrification in the first stage vertical flow system; such pattern could be linked to effective utilization of the trapped oxygen, as the flow was directed throughout the media by the baffle walls. Second stage horizontal flow wetland showed enhanced biodegradable organics removal, which depleted organic carbon availability for denitrification. The final stage integrated wetland system allowed further nitrogen removal from wastewater, via nutrient uptake by plant roots （along with nitrification）, and generation of organic carbon （by the dead macrophytes） to support denitrification. The system achieved higher E. coli mortality through protozoa predation, E. coli oxidation, and destruction by UV radiation. In general, enhanced pollutant removal efflciencies as demonstrated by the structurally modified hybrid wetland system signify the necessity of such modification, when operated under adverse conditions such as： substantial input organics loading, hydraulic loading fluctuation, and seasonal variation.     

Do phytotoxic allelochemicals remain in ashes after burning Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera (boneseed)?

Australia is facing challenges in controlling Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. monilifera(boneseed). However, burning has achieved some success in this regard. We aimed to investigate the comparative phytotoxicity of boneseed dried powder and ashes(burnt at 450℃ and250℃). Phenolic compounds in powder and ashes were measured using Folin–Ciocalteu assay and HPLC. The phytotoxicity of boneseed powder and ash extracts was assessed through germination bioassay on Lactuca sativa and the phytotoxicity of litter and ashes was evaluated using field soil, both in growth chamber. Burning of boneseed reduced total phenolics in ashes of boneseed organs by 99% and 100% both at high and low temperatures. The four phenolic compounds that were detected in boneseed were either absent or at negligible levels in the ashes,with inversely related to temperature. Both boneseed ash extracts and litter ash-mediated soil significantly reduced phytotoxicity displaying increased germination, biometric and biochemical parameters of test species compared with unburnt powder extracts and litter powder-mediated soil respectively, with greater reduction of phytotoxicity found for ashes produced at the lower temperature. Interestingly, the ash extracts and litter ash-mediated soil were found to stimulate some of those parameters of the test species compared to control. There was no excessive reactive oxygen species(ROS) produced in test species exposed to ash extracts compared with unburnt powder extracts. These findings suggest that burning of boneseed is an appropriate method of weed control and that this approach will reduce phytotoxicity of this species on native plants.     

Particle formation due to brake wear,influence on the people health and measures for their reduction: a review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - For achieving the desired vehicle speed, the IC engine is very important, while for further vehicle speed maintaining and adaptation to road...     

Estimation and validation of biomass of a mountainous agroecosystem by means of sampling,spectral data and QuickBird satellite image

Biomass estimation in agroecosystems (AESs) is important to understand their role in carbon exchange for a sustainable environment. We used field spectra and sampled biomass of an AES including cultivated and abandoned croplands to develop a simple biomass estimation model. The digital number (DN) of a QuickBird (QB) satellite image was converted to a reflectance factor using the dark object subtraction method and the spectral reflectance of asphalt. The relationship between the reflectance factor of field-based spectra and the QB image obtained in early July 2007 was insignificant in the blue (R ² = 0.15) and green (R ² = 0.18) bands but was significant (p < 0.05) in the red (R ² = 0.57) and near-infrared (NIR, R ² = 0.45) bands in the AES. Better correlations were obtained between field-based and QB-based vegetation indices (VIs). The best correlations were obtained with the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) (R ² = 0.97, p < 0.001) and the ratio vegetation index (RVI) (R ² = 0.99, p < 0.001). Biomass was significantly correlated with both field-based NDVI and RVI (R ² = 0.79 and 0.72, respectively, p < 0.001). Although RVI saturated at higher biomass densities (>600 g m^?2), NDVI showed a linear relationship. Other field-based VIs showed poorer correlations with biomass. The model was evaluated by incorporating it into high-resolution QB images to obtain the observed biomass. The relationship between field-estimated and QB-observed biomass appeared to be a one-to-one linear relationship (R ² = 0.79). Thus, models using field spectra and sampled biomass can be applied to QB images for remote estimation of biomass in an AES.     

Plant-based coagulants/flocculants: characteristics,mechanisms, and possible utilization in treating aquaculture effluent and benefiting from the recovered nutrients

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The increasing intensification of the aquaculture industry requires the development of new strategies to reduce the negative impacts of wastewater on...     

Microplastics in urban waters and its effects on microbial communities: a critical review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Microplastic (MP) pollution is one of the emerging threats to the water and terrestrial environment, forcing a new environmental challenge due to the...     

Research trends and emerging physical processing technologies in mitigation of pesticide residues on various food products

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The application of pesticides enhances food production vastly, and it cannot be prevented; longer fresh produce is contaminated with...