Investigating the phenol removal from aqueous media by photocatalytic magnetized graphene oxide nanocomposite

As a large and diverse group of secondary metabolites, phenolic compounds are one of the most common chemical pollutants present in water resources. these compounds can have toxic effects on ecosystems and humans. Therefore, their removal from water sources appears to be of great importance. In this study, a magnetic graphene oxide (MGO) photocatalyst was synthesized and used to remove phenol from water. The fabricated GO magnetic nanocomposites were determined by SEM and FTIR techniques. Afterward, these nanoparticles were used to remove phenol from aquatic media considering different operational parameters, including pH of the solution, initial concentration of phenol, contact time, and adsorbent dosage. The results showed that the magnetized GO nanoparticles could remove 90.83% of phenol molecules under the optimal conditions of solution pH = 3.0, initial phenol concentration of 20 mg/L, adsorbent concentration of 300 mg/L, and contact time of 120 min. additionally have compared the results of UV, Fe₃O₄/GO, and Fe₃O₄/GO/UV on the removal of phenol under optimum conditions. Accordingly, the phenol removal efficiencies for UV alone, Fe₃O₄/GO, and Fe₃O₄/GO/UV were obtained at 4.5, 65.73, and 90.83%, respectively. Based on the findings, the prepared magnetic GO nanoparticles have extended capabilities such as easy and rapid separation from sample and high potential in removing phenolic compounds, so, it can be introduced as an appropriate adsorbent for removal of this pollutant from water and wastewater.     

Occurrence of orthophosphate monoesters in lake sediments: significance of myo- and scyllo-inositol hexakisphosphate

Orthophosphate monoesters often constitute a significant fraction of total phosphorus in lake sediments. The knowledge on the specific composition and recalcitrance of these compounds is however limited. The main aim was therefore to identify and quantify specific orthophosphate monoesters in sediment from 15 Danish lakes by solution (31)P NMR spectroscopy. The four most quantitatively important orthophosphate monoesters were myo-inositol hexakisphosphate (myo-IP(6)), scyllo-inositol hexakisphosphate (scyllo-IP(6)) α-glycerophosphate (α-GP) and β-glycerophosphate (β-GP). The compounds were identified in 9, 4, 8 and in all 15 lakes, respectively. In total these four components made up 46-100% of the orthophosphate monoester pool. The glycerophosphates (GPs) are most likely degradation products of phospholipids, created as an artifact by the alkaline extraction procedure used for (31)P NMR spectroscopy, while the inositol hexakisphosphates (IPs) are naturally occurring compounds. There was a significant positive correlation between myo-IP(6) and total aluminium in the sediment and a negative correlation between myo-IP(6) and lake water pH, suggesting that myo-IP(6) is stabilized in the sediment by adsorption at slightly acidic or neutral conditions. In three lakes, the depth distribution of the orthophosphate monoesters was investigated. The content of scyllo-IP(6) and myo-IP(6) was constant with sediment depth in two of the lakes while the content of myo-IP(6) decreased with depth in one of the lakes. In all cases the IPs seem to be preserved with sediment depth to a higher extent than the orthophosphate diesters and especially the GPs suggesting that IPs can be a sink for phosphorus in the lake ecosystem or at least delay P-recycling for years.     

Use of a novel biomarker,botryococcane, to monitor biodegradation of two lacustrine‐sourced crude oils

Bioremediation is a proven alternative for remediating petroleum‐impacted soils at exploration and production (E&P) sites. Monitoring remediation performance can involve detection and quantification of biodegradation resistant compounds such as C₃₀17α(H),21β(H)‐hopane, which requires the use of gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection (GC/MS). Due to the remoteness of many E&P sites, this technology is not always available, and alternative methods are needed to provide reliable quantitative measurements of petroleum remediation efficiency. This study provides a detailed chemical characterization of lacustrine‐sourced crude oils and a technical basis for measuring the effectiveness of bioremediation efforts for soil impacted by those crudes. We show that the novel isoprenoid hydrocarbon botryococcane is relatively stable in lacustrine‐sourced crude oils compared with C₃₀17α(H),21β(H)‐hopane under moderate biodegradation conditions generally observed in field samples. We have also demonstrated that, due to the stability and relatively elevated concentration of botryococcane in lacustrine oils, it can be reliably measured using the more cost‐effective and available GC/FID methodology, and thereby be used to monitor the progress of ongoing soil bioremediation activities at remote sites.     

Satellite-based decadal change assessments of pan-Arctic environments

Remote sensing can advance the work of the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program through monitoring of satellite-derived terrestrial and marine physical and ecological variables. Standardized data facilitate an unbiased comparison across variables and environments. Using MODIS standard products of land surface temperature, percent snow covered area, NDVI, EVI, phenology, burned area, marine chlorophyll, CDOM, sea surface temperature, and marine primary productivity, significant trends were observed in almost all variables between 2000 and 2017. Analysis of seasonal data revealed significant breakpoints in temporal trends. Within the terrestrial environment, data showed significant increasing trends in land surface temperature and NDVI. In the marine environment, significant increasing trends were detected in primary productivity. Significantly earlier onset of green up date was observed in bioclimate subzones C&E and longer end of growing season in B&E. Terrestrial and marine parameters showed similar rates of change with unidirectional change in terrestrial and significant directional and magnitude shifts in marine.     

Development of enterosorbents that can be added to food and water to reduce toxin exposures during disasters

Humans and animals can be exposed to mixtures of chemicals from food and water, especially during disasters such as extended droughts, hurricanes and floods. Drought stress facilitates the occurrence of mycotoxins such as aflatoxins B₁ (AfB₁) and zearalenone (ZEN), while hurricanes and floods can mobilize toxic soil and sediments containing important pesticides (such as glyphosate). To address this problem in food, feed and water, we developed broad-acting, clay-based enterosorbents that can reduce toxin exposures when included in the diet. In this study, we processed sodium and calcium montmorillonite clays with high concentrations of sulfuric acid to increase surface areas and porosities, and conducted equilibrium isothermal analyses and dosimetry studies to derive binding parameters and gain insight into: (1) surface capacities and affinities, (2) potential mechanisms of sorption, (3) thermodynamics (enthalpy) of toxin/surface interactions and (4) estimated dose of sorbent required to maintain toxin threshold limits. We have also used a toxin-sensitive living organism (Hydra vulgaris) to predict the safety and efficacy of newly developed sorbents. Our results indicated that acid processed montmorillonites were effective sorbents for AfB₁, ZEN and glyphosate, with high capacity and tight binding, and effectively protected hydra against individual toxins, as well as mixtures of mycotoxins.     

The impact of wood stove technology upgrades on indoor residential air quality

Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) air pollution has been linked to adverse health impacts, and combustion sources including residential wood-burning may play an important role in some regions. Recent evidence suggests that indoor air quality may improve in homes where older, non-certified wood stoves are exchanged for lower emissions EPA-certified alternatives. As part of a wood stove exchange program in northern British Columbia, Canada, we sampled outdoor and indoor air at 15 homes during 6-day sampling sessions both before and after non-certified wood stoves were exchanged. During each sampling session two consecutive 3-day PM_2.5 samples were collected onto Teflon filters, which were weighed and analyzed for the wood smoke tracer levoglucosan. Residential PM_2.5 infiltration efficiencies (F_inf) were estimated from continuous light scattering measurements made with nephelometers, and estimates of F_inf were used to calculate the outdoor- and indoor-generated contributions to indoor air. There was not a consistent relationship between stove technology and outdoor or indoor concentrations of PM_2.5 or levoglucosan. Mean F_inf estimates were low and similar during pre- and post-exchange periods (0.32 ± 0.17 and 0.33 ± 0.17, respectively). Indoor sources contributed the majority (～65%) of the indoor PM_2.5 concentrations, independent of stove technology, although low indoor-outdoor levoglucosan ratios (median ≤ 0.19) and low indoor PM_2.5-levoglucosan correlations (r ≤ 0.19) suggested that wood smoke was not a major indoor PM_2.5 source in most of these homes. In summary, despite the potential for extensive wood stove exchange programs to reduce outdoor PM_2.5 concentrations in wood smoke-impacted communities, we did not find a consistent relationship between stove technology upgrades and indoor air quality improvements in homes where stoves were exchanged.     

Graham Scholars Program: sustainability education through an interdisciplinary international case study

A course for upper division undergraduate students was developed in response to a request for a cross-disciplinary course in environmental sustainability with an emphasis on an international issue. The topic selected for the course focused on the energy needs for Chile and a proposal for five hydropower projects on the Baker and Pascua Rivers in the Patagonia area. Collaborations between the University of Michigan (USA) and the University of Concepción (Chile) to develop the course led to a plan to offer a parallel course at both universities, with the students of both courses participating in a site visit to Patagonia. The courses were structured to enhance learning through interdisciplinary team-based activities. The courses were taught in a seminar format, with invited lecturers to provide background information on technical, environmental, economic, social, and political issues surrounding hydropower development in general and the proposed projects in particular. The students combined this information with insights obtained during the site visit to prepare a variety of course products, notably an assessment of the concerns of the various affected stakeholder groups. Assessment of the course outcomes is discussed.     

Decabromodiphenylether and hexabromocyclododecane in wild birds from the United Kingdom, Sweden and The Netherlands: Screening and time trends

The brominated flame retardant decabromodiphenylether (DBDE) was analysed in wild birds to identify the most suitable species for monitoring time trends in DBDE contamination. This information was later used for the design of a 10-year trend study on DBDE in the European Union. DBDE was measured in muscle tissue, liver, and eggs from 10 terrestrial and four aquatic bird species. DBDE was detected in 47% of the terrestrial bird samples (nine species) and in 9% of the aquatic bird samples (six species). Peregrine falcon and sparrowhawk specimens were selected as most suitable species to determine temporal trends of DBDE. For sparrowhawks, no significant change in DBDE concentrations between 1973 and 2001 was found, although in later years more DBDE concentrations were above the detection limit. Peak DBDE levels measured in peregrines in 1995, were followed by a decline in concentrations until 2001. The same species were used for a trend study on hexabromocylcododecane (HBCD). Twenty-four percent of peregrine falcon eggs and 12% of sparrowhawk muscle samples demonstrated measurable HBCD residues. Three diastereomers of HBCD were analysed and the α-diastereomer was the predominant one in most samples. No clear time trends were observed for HBCD in either species. This study demonstrated that these DBDE and HBCD are bioavailable to birds of Northern Europe, although bioaccumulation seems to occur to a limited extent.