New application of Orchis mascula as a biocarrier for immobilization of mixed cells for biodegradation and detoxification of reactive azo dyes

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In this study, the application of novel biocarrier Orchis mascula plant for immobilization of non-adapted mixed cells biodegrade reactive azo dyes in...     

Remediation of tetracycline pollution using MXene and nano-zero-valent iron materials: a review

Environmental Chemistry Letters - Antibiotic resistance is a major health issue partly caused by the diffusion of antibiotic pollution in the natural environment, thus calling for advanced methods...     

Microplastic sources,formation, toxicity and remediation: a review

Microplastic pollution is becoming a major issue for human health due to the recent discovery of microplastics in most ecosystems. Here, we review the sources, formation, occurrence, toxicity and remediation methods of microplastics. We distinguish ocean-based and land-based sources of microplastics. Microplastics have been found in biological samples such as faeces, sputum, saliva, blood and placenta. Cancer, intestinal, pulmonary, cardiovascular, infectious and inflammatory diseases are induced or mediated by microplastics. Microplastic exposure during pregnancy and maternal period is also discussed. Remediation methods include coagulation, membrane bioreactors, sand filtration, adsorption, photocatalytic degradation, electrocoagulation and magnetic separation. Control strategies comprise reducing plastic usage, behavioural change, and using biodegradable plastics. Global plastic production has risen dramatically over the past 70 years to reach 359 million tonnes. China is the world's top producer, contributing 17.5% to global production, while Turkey generates the most plastic waste in the Mediterranean region, at 144 tonnes per day. Microplastics comprise 75% of marine waste, with land-based sources responsible for 80–90% of pollution, while ocean-based sources account for only 10–20%. Microplastics induce toxic effects on humans and animals, such as cytotoxicity, immune response, oxidative stress, barrier attributes, and genotoxicity, even at minimal dosages of 10 μg/mL. Ingestion of microplastics by marine animals results in alterations in gastrointestinal tract physiology, immune system depression, oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, differential gene expression, and growth inhibition. Furthermore, bioaccumulation of microplastics in the tissues of aquatic organisms can have adverse effects on the aquatic ecosystem, with potential transmission of microplastics to humans and birds. Changing individual behaviours and governmental actions, such as implementing bans, taxes, or pricing on plastic carrier bags, has significantly reduced plastic consumption to 8–85% in various countries worldwide. The microplastic minimisation approach follows an upside-down pyramid, starting with prevention, followed by reducing, reusing, recycling, recovering, and ending with disposal as the least preferable option.

     

GIS and remote sensing as tools for conducting geo-hazards risk assessment along Gulf of Aqaba coastal zone,Egypt

Satellite remote sensing data, in addition to Geographic Information Systems (GIS), offers an excellent alternative to conventional mapping techniques in monitoring and mapping of geo-hazards areas. One of the most sustainable development projects in Egypt has been accomplished in Sinai, especially along and around the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez. Variations along the coastal zone of the Gulf of Aqaba have been identified through the analysis of multi-temporal satellite images with the aid of GIS analysis. The study area is subject to rapid and increasing changes in land-use/land-cover that resulting from natural and human activities such as flash flooding, seismic activity, landslides, and tourist and urban activities. This is in addition to the construction projects of roads, ports, PowerStation stations, mineral exploration, beaches, and tourist villages resulting from major environmental impacts. The current study aims to use Remote Sensing and GIS tools to investigate, monitor, and assess geo-hazards through the building of a geographical database. Several techniques have been developed over the last decade mostly to study the geological and geomorphologic characteristics of the terrain; land-use and land-cover changes. These are based on satellite imagery and Digital Elevation Models (DEM) to determine the topographic features, and geo-hazards maps. It is concluded that integrated approaches to monitoring can successfully be used to assess the environmental impacts along the Gulf of Aqaba coastal zone.     

Analyzing wave breaking in a barred beach using wavelet

In this paper, a cross-shore profile evolution model, Uniform Beach Sediment Transport-Time-Averaged Cross-Shore (UNIBEST-TC), is used. The model was developed at WL/Delft hydraulic laboratory in the Netherlands. The model is used to predict wave height in a barred beach (Egmond site, The Netherlands) and the results show that there is a good agreement between the measured and predicted values by the model. In the present study, Morlet wavelet is used to distinguish the breaking waves; it is integrated over frequency to provide the temporal variation of localized total energy. The study shows that the local peaks of the energy densities correspond to the events of wave breaking in the predicted–wave time series. Furthermore, the wave energy distribution shows a tendency to decrease in the off-shore direction of the inner bar.     

Potential for internal loading by phosphorus based on sequential extraction of surficial sediment in a shallow Egyptian Lake

The fractionation of phosphorus (P) in shallow Lake Maryout surficial sediments was investigated in order to understand its potential availability in relation to the eutrophication status of this lake. The rank order of P fractions was NaOH-P > HCl-P > NH₄Cl-P > BD-P. The metal oxide-bound P (NaOH-P) averaged 43% in this hypereutrophic lake and would be potentially available under low oxygen conditions. The highly available, loosely sorbed P (NH₄Cl-P) represented 20% of the sedimentary inorganic P on average, while the reductant P (BD-P) averaged 15% and is also considered highly available under low oxygen conditions. The less available calcium-bound P (HCl-P) represented 22% of sedimentary inorganic P. Lake Maryout exhibits high potential for release of P from sediment in forms available to algae, which is undesirable for eutrophication control. The range of potentially available P in tested sediments was 1,541 to 3,990 mg/kg (ppm), a very high quantity capable of supporting algal blooms independent of external loading.     

Detection of hazardous pollutants in chrome-tanned leather using locally developed laser-induced breakdown spectrometer

K?z?l?rmak River has been used as Ankara??s drinking water source for approximately 1.5?years. Therefore, this region??s water, sediment, and fish samples are measured for detecting the heavy metals. This is important for the current situation as well as the future in terms of potential impact. The amount of heavy metals in drinking water should be within the limited values; otherwise, the accumulation of heavy metals will cause many problems to living organisms. Especially high levels of arsenic, cadmium, nickel, mercury, etc. are very dangerous to freshwater ecosystems as for human if the water is being use as drinking water. In this study, water, sediment samples, muscle, and gills of three fish species (Capoeta tinca, Capoeta capoeta, Leuciscus cephalus) were analyzed for the presence of heavy metals such as (Al, Fe, As, Cd, Ni, Mn, Se, Si) to determine present accumulation levels and possible toxic effect. The accumulation pattern of heavy metals in the water, sediment, and fish tissue follows the sequence: Si > Fe > Al > Mn > As > Ni > Se > Cd, Fe > Al > Mn > Ni > As > Se > Cd, and Fe > Al > Mn > As > Ni > Si > Cd. In addition, the detected concentrations of heavy metals in the K?z?l?rmak and Delice Rivers are compared with other heavy metal studies in the other main rivers and lakes in Turkey.     

An Experimental Study of Heat Pipe Performance Using Nanofluids

Heat pipe cooling is widely used in computer processors. Advances in microprocessor technology have resulted in reduced heat transfer surface area. Maintaining an efficient cooling process is therefore challenging. The main goal of this experimental study is to perform a parametric study on heat pipe performance using nanofluids. Nanofluids of 1 and 3 vol% of alumina nanoparticles of 20–50 nm diameters in deionized water versus deionized water as a base fluid were considered in the present study. The nanofluids are prepared in our laboratory using two-step method. The nanofluids thermal properties are measured to confirm the properties enhancement that could indicate a corresponding performance enhancement of the heat pipe. A 10 mm inner diameter, 200 mm long brass tube with 50 mm long evaporator, and 50 mm long water cooled condenser were used. Heat pipe wall temperature is reduced with nanofluids as is the temperature difference between the evaporator and condenser. The thermal diffusivity of the nanofluids is increased by 10%. The pipe pressure in case of deionized water was higher than the corresponding one for the nanofluids by 20–32%.