Dodonaea viscosa (Sapindaceae) as a phytoremediator for soils contaminated by heavy metals in abandoned mines

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Dodonaea viscosa (L.) Jacq. is a plant with a wide distribution that expands throughout almost all Mexican territory and is used in traditional...     

Predictive model for areas with illegal landfills using logistic regression

The existence of illegal landfills is an environmental problem in most countries. However, research on this issue is scarce and limited by the availability and quality of data on the subject. Thus, most illegal landfill studies have only been conducted in a partial manner, focusing on geographical aspects or the causes of these landfills (lack of environmental awareness, inadequate waste management systems, and the role of local government). This research analyses a sample of 120 possible areas with illegal landfills in Andalusia using logistic regression in order to obtain a predictive model for the occurrence of these landfills, including both types of variables (geographical and behavioural) jointly. The results confirm that the variables that most influence the occurrence of illegal landfills are spatial (“Industrial Land”, “Plains” and “Rural Land”); whilst the variables that most reduce the likelihood of illegal landfills are those related to certain characteristics of the municipal waste management system and environmental awareness, such as “Availability of Recycling Facilities”, “Punitive Policies”, “Supervision” and “Awareness-raising Campaigns”. The model obtained shows that variables of very different nature and magnitude interact in the occurrence of illegal landfills, each of which contributes a series of features characteristic of its scale. It is advisable, therefore, to perform an analysis using a multi-scale approach in order to gain an overall understanding of the phenomenon.     

Effect of spent mushroom substrate applied to vineyard soil on the behaviour of copper-based fungicide residues

The effect of the addition of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) to the soil as an amendment on the distribution and/or fate of copper from a copper-based fungicide applied to a vineyard soil in La Rioja (N. Spain) was studied. The study was carried out on experimental plots amended or not with SMS at rates of 40 and 100 t ha(-1). The variation in total Cu content in the topsoil (0-10 cm) and in the soil profile (0-50 cm), and the distribution of Cu in different fractions of the topsoil were studied as a function of the dose of Cu added (5 and 10 kg ha(-1)) and of the time elapsed since application (0-12 months). In addition, the changes in the chemical properties (solid organic carbon (OC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and pH) of the soils were studied. A greater capacity for Cu retention by the amended soils than by the unamended one was observed only when the fungicide was applied at the high dose. No effect of the amendment rate was noted on this retention capacity. The metal content in the topsoil decreased over time in step with the disappearance of the OC in the amended soil due to its oxidation, mineralization and/or leaching. This decrease in total Cu content was possibly due to the formation of soluble Cu complexes with the DOC, which facilitated its transport through the soil. A re-distribution of Cu in the different soil fractions was also observed over time, mainly from the organic to the residual fraction. The results obtained indicate that the increase in OC due to the application of SMS at the rates used does not lead to any significant increase in the persistence of Cu in the soil over time. Of greater interest would be the assessment of the risk for groundwater quality, owing to possible leaching of the fungicide enhanced by the SMS when SMS and Cu-based fungicides are jointly applied to vineyard soils.     

The effects of preen oils and soiling on the UV–visible reflectance of carotenoid-pigmented feathers

Plumage coloration, particularly when carotenoid-based, is important in social signaling in birds. Although feather color is a relatively stable trait, individuals may modify it with “cosmetic” substances such as preen oils. In addition, dirt accumulation may influence plumage coloration and further affect signal perception by receivers. Here, we analyze the separate potential effects of preen oils and soil accumulation on the reflectance properties of carotenoid-pigmented feathers across the visual range of most bird species, which includes the ultraviolet (UV). Using the yellow portion of tail feathers of Bohemian waxwings (Bombycilla garrulus), we performed two separate experiments where: (a) preen oils and/or soil were removed, or (b) preen oils (from black-billed magpies Pica pica or eagle owls Bubo bubo) were added. Preen oil addition reduced brightness but increased UV hue and yellow chroma. UV chroma was reduced by the addition of magpie (but not owl) preen oil. Soil accumulation had little effect on plumage reflectance in the UV range but significantly reduced yellow chroma. According to models of avian vision, both of these effects are detectable by birds and biologically meaningful when compared with natural variation between the sexes and age classes. We conclude that preen oil and soil accumulation can significantly affect the UV–visible reflectance of carotenoid-based plumages. As such traits typically advertise individual quality, preening and soiling have the potential to modify the information content of carotenoid-based plumage traits and how these signals are perceived by receivers.     

Mechanistic insights into acetaminophen removal on cashew nut shell biomass-derived activated carbons

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Activated carbons prepared from cashew nut shells by chemical activation with phosphoric acid were tested for the removal of acetaminophen. It was...     

Optimization of synergistic biosorption of oxytetracycline and cadmium from binary mixtures on reed-based beads: modeling study using Brouers-Sotolongo models

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The first aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize reed-based-beads (BBR), an enhanced adsorbent from Tunisian reed. The second purpose...     

Silver nanoparticles induce histopathological alterations in juvenile Penaeus vannamei

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The objective of this study was to evaluate the histopathological alterations in juvenile Penaeus vannamei caused by silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for...     

Mercury removal using ground and calcined mussel shell

We determined mercury retention on calcined and ground mussel shell, in presence and absence of phosphate, using batch and stirred flow chamber experiments. In batch experiments the calcined shell exhibited higher Hg adsorption, with good fitting to Freundlich equation （R^2： 0.925-0.978）; the presence of phosphate increased Hg adsorption; mercury desorption was 13% or lower, diminishing up to 2% under the presence of phosphates. In stirred flow chamber experiments calcined shell retained more Hg than ground shells （6300 vs. 4000-5200 μmol/kg）; Hg retention increased an additional 40% on calcined shell and up to an additional 70% on ground shells when phosphates were present; mercury desorption was quite similar in all shell types （20%-34%）, increasing up to 49%-60% in ground shells when phosphates were present. The higher Hg adsorption on calcined shell would be related to its calcite and dolomite concentrations; mercury-phosphate interactions would cause the increase in Hg retention when phosphates are present. Data on Hg desorption suggest that Hg retention was not easily reversible after batch experiments, increasing in the stirred flow chamber due to convective flow. Calcined and ground mussel shells could be recycled removing Hg from water, with the presence of phosphates in solution improving efficacy.